System and method for data loss prevention across heterogeneous communications platforms

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a method includes activating a cross-platform DLP policy for enforcement against a plurality of users on each of a plurality of heterogeneous communications platforms. The method further includes monitoring communications of the plurality of users on each of the plurality of communications platforms for violations of the cross-platform DLP policy. The method also includes, responsive to a detected violation of the cross-platform DLP policy by at least one user on at least one communications platform, dynamically acquiring context information for the detected violation using information associated with the detected violation. In addition, the method includes publishing violation information to one or more designated users. The violation information includes at least a portion of the information associated with the detected violation and at least a portion of the context information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. 13/906,241, 13/906,246, and 13/906,255. U.S.patent application Ser. Nos. 13/906,241, 13/906,246, and 13/906,255 werefiled on May 30, 2013 and claim priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/658,034 filed on Jun. 11, 2012. U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/658,034 and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.13/906,241, 13/906,246, and 13/906,255 are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to data security and moreparticularly, but not by way of limitation, to systems and methods fordata loss prevention.

History Of Related Art

Enterprise communications systems such as, for example, email systems(e.g., systems based on MICROSOFT EXCHANGE), sometimes provideadministrators with certain tools for setting up automated polices.These policies can help ensure that users comply with standard operatingpolicies or other governance-related requirements. The policies areoften specified as rules that define what a user or group of usersshould or should not do on the system. When the system detects aviolation of such policies, the violation can be logged. Each policy,however, is generally platform-specific and is thus typically limited inscope to a particular communications system on which the policy isspecified and implemented. For example, an organization may be utilizingdifferent solutions for email, instant messaging, social media, contentmanagement, etc. To the extent any native policy support is provided,each enterprise communications system may provide incompatible tools,policy formats, and enforcement actions. Many enterprise communicationssystems provide no native policy support at all.

In addition, existing policies that are specified can be quite rigid.For example, one policy may be to not send large email attachments. Thepolicy may be specified using an arbitrary maximum attachment size suchas, for example, ten megabytes. In practice, however, a given user maysend numerous email attachments that are slightly under the maximumattachment size. Although such a user may be literally complying withthe policy by not sending email attachments larger than ten megabytes,the user may be violating the spirit of the policy. The user's numerousemail attachments of just under ten megabytes may cause the very adverseeffects that the policy is designed to prevent. Violations of the spiritof a given policy cannot generally be detected.

Other policies sometimes require interpretation in order to determine aviolation. For example, a company policy may be to not email credit-cardnumbers. An email system, for example, may then implement the policy bysearching for a string of numbers that conforms to a credit-card numberformat (e.g., a string of numbers of a particular length). According tothis example, however, benign numbers that are the same length as acredit-card number could trigger a false positive. In general, whenreporting a violation, there is not sufficient information available toenable adequate identification of false positives.

Moreover, as the value and use of information continues to increase,individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and storeinformation. One option available to users is information handlingsystems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles,stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal,or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the valueof the information. Because technology and information handling needsand requirements vary between different users or applications,information handling systems may also vary regarding what information ishandled, how the information is handled, how much information isprocessed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently theinformation may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations ininformation handling systems allow for information handling systems tobe general or configured for a specific user or specific use such asfinancial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise datastorage, or global communications. In addition, information handlingsystems may include a variety of hardware and software components thatmay be configured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a method is performed for each cross-platform dataloss prevention (DLP) policy of at least one cross-platform DLP policy.The method includes, on a computer system comprising at least one servercomputer, activating the cross-platform DLP policy for enforcementagainst a plurality of users on each of a plurality of heterogeneouscommunications platforms. The method further includes the computersystem monitoring communications of the plurality of users on each ofthe plurality of communications platforms for violations of thecross-platform DLP policy. The method also includes, responsive to adetected violation of the cross-platform DLP policy by at least one useron at least one communications platform, the computer system dynamicallyacquiring context information for the detected violation usinginformation associated with the detected violation. In addition, themethod includes the computer system publishing violation information toone or more designated users. The violation information includes atleast a portion of the information associated with the detectedviolation and at least a portion of the context information.

In one embodiment, an information handling system includes a processingunit. The at least one processing unit is operable to implement a methodthat is performed for each cross-platform data loss prevention (DLP)policy of at least one cross-platform DLP policy. The method includesactivating the cross-platform DLP policy for enforcement against aplurality of users on each of a plurality of heterogeneouscommunications platforms. The method further includes monitoringcommunications of the plurality of users on each of the plurality ofcommunications platforms for violations of the cross-platform DLPpolicy. The method also includes, responsive to a detected violation ofthe cross-platform DLP policy by at least one user on at least onecommunications platform, dynamically acquiring context information forthe detected violation using information associated with the detectedviolation. In addition, the method includes publishing violationinformation to one or more designated users. The violation informationincludes at least a portion of the information associated with thedetected violation and at least a portion of the context information.

In one embodiment, a computer-program product includes a non-transitorycomputer-usable medium having computer-readable program code embodiedtherein. The computer-readable program code is adapted to be executed toimplement a method that is performed for each cross-platform data lossprevention (DLP) policy of at least one cross-platform DLP policy. Themethod includes activating the cross-platform DLP policy for enforcementagainst a plurality of users on each of a plurality of heterogeneouscommunications platforms. The method further includes monitoringcommunications of the plurality of users on each of the plurality ofcommunications platforms for violations of the cross-platform DLPpolicy. The method also includes, responsive to a detected violation ofthe cross-platform DLP policy by at least one user on at least onecommunications platform, dynamically acquiring context information forthe detected violation using information associated with the detectedviolation. In addition, the method includes publishing violationinformation to one or more designated users. The violation informationincludes at least a portion of the information associated with thedetected violation and at least a portion of the context information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the presentinvention may be obtained by reference to the following DetailedDescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a networked computing environment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a Business Insight on Messaging(BIM) system.

FIG. 3 presents a flowchart of an example of a data collection process.

FIG. 4 presents a flowchart of an example of a data classificationprocess.

FIG. 5 presents a flowchart of an example of a data query process.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a heuristics engine.

FIG. 7 presents a flowchart of an example of a heuristics process.

FIG. 8 presents a flowchart of an example of a data query process.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a user interface.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a user interface.

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of an implementation of a system forperforming data loss prevention (DLP).

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of an implementation of across-platform DLP system.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a process for cross-platform DLPimplementation.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a process for creating across-platform DLP policy.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a process for dynamically acquiringcontext information.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a process for publishing violationinformation.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of an access profile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure describes several non-limiting examples of processes forcollecting information or data from multiple sources and analyzing theinformation to classify the data and to extract or determine additionalinformation based on the collected data. The data sources can beinternal to the business and/or external to the business. For example,the data sources can include sales databases, business or internal emailsystems, non-business or external email systems, social networkingaccounts, inventory databases, file directories, enterprise systems,customer relationship management (CRM) systems, organizationaldirectories, collaboration systems (e.g., SharePoint™ servers), etc.

As used herein, the term “business,” in addition to having its ordinarymeaning, is intended to include any type of organization or entity. Forexample, a business can include a charitable organization, agovernmental organization, an educational institution, or any otherentity that may have one or more sources of data to analyze. Further,the user of any of the above terms may be used interchangeably unlessexplicitly used otherwise or unless the context makes clear otherwise.In addition, as used herein, the term “data” generally refers toelectronic data or any type of data that can be accessed by a computingsystem.

I. Systems and Methods for Collecting, Classifying, and Querying Data

Example of a Networked Computing Environment

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a networked computing environment100. The networked computing environment 100 can include a computingenvironment 102 that is associated with a business or organization. Thecomputing environment 102 may vary based on the type of organization orbusiness. However, generally, the computing environment 102 may includeat least a number of computing systems. For example, the computingenvironment may include clients, servers, databases, mobile computingdevices (e.g., tablets, laptops, smartphones, etc.), virtual computingdevices, shared computing devices, networked computing devices, and thelike. Further, the computing environment 102 may include one or morenetworks, such as intranet 104.

The computing environment 102 includes a Business Insights on Messaging(BIM) system 130. Using the BIM system 130, a user can examine the dataavailable to a business regardless of where the data was generated or isstored. Further, in some embodiments, the user can use the BIM system130 to identify trends and/or metadata associated with the dataavailable to the BIM system 130. In certain embodiments, the BIM system130 can access the data from internal data sources 120, external datasources 122, or a combination of the two. The data that can be accessedfrom the internal data sources 120 can include any data that is storedwithin the computing environment 102 or is accessed by a computingsystem that is associated with the computing environment 102. Forexample, the data may include information stored in employee createdfiles, log files, archived files, internal emails, outgoing emails,received emails, received files, data downloaded from an externalnetwork or the Internet, etc. The type of data is not limited and maydepend on the organization or business associated with the computingenvironment 102. For example, the data can include sales numbers,contact information, vendor costs, product designs, meeting minutes, theidentity of file creators, the identity of file owners, the identity ofusers who have accessed a file or are authorized to access a file, etc.

The data that can be accessed from the external data sources 122 caninclude any data that is stored outside of the computing environment 102and is publicly accessible or otherwise accessible to the BIM system130. For example, the data can include data from social networkingsites, customer sites, Internet sites, or any other data source that ispublicly accessible or which the BIM system 130 has been granted access.In some cases, a subset of the data may be unavailable to the BIM system130. For example, portions of the computing environment 102 may beconfigured for private use.

The internal data sources 120 can include any type of computing systemthat is part of or associated with the computing environment 102 and isavailable to the BIM system 130. These computing systems can includedatabase systems or repositories, servers (e.g., authentication servers,file servers, email servers, collaboration servers), clients, mobilecomputing systems (including e.g., tablets, laptops, smartphones, etc.),virtual machines, CRM systems, directory services, such as lightweightdirectory access protocol (LDAP) systems, and the like. Further, in somecases, the internal data sources 120 can include the clients 114 and116. The external data sources 122 can include any type of computingsystem that is not associated with the computing environment 102, but isaccessible to the BIM system 130. For example, the external data sources122 can include any computing systems associated with cloud services,social media services, hosted applications, etc.

The BIM system 130 can communicate with the internal data sources 120via the intranet 104. The intranet 104 can include any type of wiredand/or wireless network that enables computing systems associated withthe computing environment 102 to communicate with each other. Forexample, the intranet 104 can include any type of a LAN, a WAN, anEthernet network, a wireless network, a cellular network, a virtualprivate network (VPN) and an ad hoc network. In some embodiments, theintranet 104 may include an extranet that is accessible by customers orother users who are external to the business or organization associatedwith the computing environment 102.

The BIM system 130 can communicate with the external data sources 122via the network 106. The network 106 can include any type of wired,wireless, or cellular network that enables one or more computing systemsassociated with the computing environment 102 to communicate with theexternal data sources 122 and/or any computing system that is notassociated with the computing environment 102. In some cases, thenetwork 106 can include the Internet.

A user can access the BIM system 130 using any computing system that cancommunicate with the BIM system 130. For example, the user can accessthe BIM system 130 using the client 114, which can communicate with theBIM system 130 via the intranet 104, the client 116, which cancommunicate via a direct communication connection with the BIM system130, or the client 118, which can communicate with the BIM system 130via the network 106. As illustrated in FIG. 1, in some embodiments theclient 118 may not be associated with the computing environment 102. Insuch embodiments, the client 118 and/or a user associated with theclient 118 may be granted access to the BIM system 130. The clients 114,116, and 118 may include any type of computing system including, forexample, a laptop, desktop, smartphone, tablet, or the like. In someembodiments, the BIM system 130 may determine whether the user isauthorized to access the BIM system 130 as described in further detailbelow.

The BIM system 130 can include a data collection system 132, a dataclassification system 134, and a BIM access system 136. The datacollection system 132 can collect data or information from one or moredata sources for processing by the BIM system 130. In some embodiments,the data collection system 132 can reformat the collected data tofacilitate processing by the BIM system 130. Further, in some cases, thedata collection system 132 may reformat collected data into a consistentor defined format that enables the comparison or processing of data thatis of the same or a similar type, but which may be formatted differentlybecause, for example, the data is obtained from different sources. Thedata collection system 132 is described in more detail below withreference to FIG. 2.

The data classification system 134 can store and classify the dataobtained by the data collection system 132. In addition to predefinedclassifications, the data classification system 134 can identify anddevelop new classifications and associations between data using, forexample, heuristics and probabilistic algorithms. The dataclassification system 134 is described in more detail below withreference to FIG. 3.

The BIM access system 136 can provide users with access to the BIMsystem 130. In some embodiments, the BIM access system 136 determineswhether a user is authorized to access the BIM system 130. The BIMaccess system 136 enables a user to query one or more databases (notshown) of the data classification system 134 to obtain access to thedata collected by the data collection system 132. Further, the BIMaccess system 136 enables a user to mine the data and/or to extractmetadata by, for example, creating queries based on the data and thedata classifications. Advantageously, in certain embodiments, becausethe data classification system 134 can classify data obtained from anumber of data sources, more complex queries can be created compared toa system that can only query its own database or a single data source.

Additionally, in certain embodiments, the BIM access system 136 canenable users to create, share, and access query packages. As describedin greater detail below, a query package can encapsulate one or morepre-defined queries, one or more visualizations of queried data, andother package attributes. When a user selects a query package, the querypackage can be executed in a determined manner in similar fashion toother queries. As an additional advantage, in some embodiments, becausethe data classification system 134 can use heuristics and probabilisticalgorithms to develop and modify data classifications over time, userqueries are not limited to a set of predefined search variables. The BIMaccess system 136 is described in more detail below with reference toFIG. 3.

Example Implementation of a BIM System

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of an implementation of the BIM system130. As previously described above, the BIM system 130 can include adata collection system 132 configured to, among other things, collectdata from the internal data sources 120 and/or the external data sources122. The data collection system 132 can include a collection engine 202,an access manager 204, a business logic engine 206, and a business logicsecurity manager 208.

Generally, the collection engine 202 may access the internal datasources 120 thereby providing the BIM system 130 with access to datathat is stored by or generated by the internal data sources 120. Thisdata can include any data that may be created, accessed, or received bya user or in response to the actions of a user who is associated withthe computing environment 102. Further, in some embodiments, thecollection engine 202 can access the external data sources 122 therebyproviding the BIM system 130 with access to data from the external datasources 122. In some embodiments, the data can include metadata. Forexample, supposing that the collection engine 202 accesses a fileserver, the data can include metadata associated with the files storedon the file server, such as the file name, file author, file owner, timecreated, last time edited, etc.

In some cases, a number of internal data sources 120 and/or externaldata sources 122 may require a user or system to be identified and/orauthenticated before access to the data source is granted.Authentication may be required for a number of reasons. For example, thedata source may provide individual accounts to users, such as a socialnetworking account, email account, or collaboration system account. Asanother example, the data source may provide different features based onthe authorization level of a user. For example, a billing system may beconfigured to allow all employees of an organization to view invoices,but to only allow employees of the accounting department to modifyinvoices.

For data sources that require authentication or identification of aspecific user, the access manager 204 can facilitate access to the datasources. The access manager 204 can manage and control credentials foraccessing the data sources. For example, the access manager 204 canstore and manage user names, passwords, account identifiers,certificates, tokens, and any other information that can be used toaccess accounts associated with one or more internal data sources 120and/or external data sources 122. For instance, the access manager 204may have access to credentials associated with a business's Facebook™ orTwitter™ account. As another example, the access manager may have accessto credentials associated with an LDAP directory, a file managementsystem, or employee work email accounts.

In some embodiments, the access manager 204 may have credentials orauthentication information associated with a master or super useraccount enabling access to some or all of the user accounts withoutrequiring credentials or authentication information associated with eachof the users. In some cases, the collection engine 202 can use theaccess manager 204 to facilitate accessing internal data sources 120and/or external data sources 122.

The business logic engine 206 can include any system that can modify ortransform the data collected by the collection engine 202 into astandardized format. In some embodiments, the standardized format maydiffer based on the data source accessed and/or the type of dataaccessed. For example, the business logic engine 206 may format dataassociated with emails, data associated with files stored at thecomputing environment 102, data associated with web pages, and dataassociated with research files differently. However, each type of datamay be formatted consistently. Thus, for example, data associated withproduct design files may be transformed or abstracted into a commonformat regardless of whether the product design files are of the sametype. As a second example, suppose that the business logic engine 206 isconfigured to record time using a 24-hour clock format. In this secondexample, if one email application records the time an email was sentusing a 24-hour clock format, and a second email application uses a12-hour clock format, the business logic engine 206 may reformat thedata from the second email application to use a 24-hour clock format

In some embodiments, a user may define the format for processing andstoring different types of data. In other embodiments, the businesslogic engine 206 may identify a standard format to use for each type ofdata based on, for example, the format that is most common among similartypes of data sources, the format that reduces the size of theinformation, or any other basis that can be used to decide a dataformat.

The business logic security manager 208 can include any system that canimplement security and data access policies for data accessed by thecollection engine 202. In some embodiments, the business logic securitymanager 208 may apply the security and data access policies to databefore the data is collected as part of a determination of whether tocollect particular data. For example, an organization may designate aprivate folder or directory for each employee and the data accesspolicies may include a policy to not access any files or data stored inthe private directory. Alternatively, or in addition, the business logicsecurity manager 208 may apply the security and data access policies todata after it is collected by the collection engine 202. Further, insome cases, the business logic security manager 208 may apply thesecurity and data access policies to the abstracted and/or reformatteddata produced by the business logic engine 206. For example, suppose theorganization associated with the computing environment 102 has adopted apolicy of not collecting emails designated as personal. In this example,the business logic security manager 208 may examine email to determinewhether it is addressed to an email address designated as personal(e.g., email addressed to family members) and if the email is identifiedas personal, the email may be discarded by the data collection system132 or not processed any further by the BIM system 130.

In some embodiments, the business logic security manager 208 may apply aset of security and data access policies to any data or metadataprovided to the classification system 134 for processing and storage.These security and data access policies can include any policy forregulating the storage and access of data obtained or generated by thedata collection system 132. For example, the security and data accesspolicies may identify the users who can access the data provided to thedata classification system 134. The determination of which users canaccess the data may be based on the type of data. The business logicsecurity manager 208 may tag the data with an identity of the users, orclass or role of users (e.g., mid-level managers and more senior) whocan access the data. As another example, of a security and data accesspolicy, the business logic security manager 208 may determine how longthe data can be stored by the data classification system 134 based on,for example, the type of data or the source of the data.

After the data collection system 132 has collected and, in some cases,processed the data obtained from the internal data sources 120 and/orthe external data sources 122, the data may be provided to the dataclassification system 134 for further processing and storage. The dataclassification system 134 can include a data repository engine 222, atask scheduler 224, an a priori classification engine 226, an aposteriori classification engine 228, a heuristics engine 230 and a setof databases 232.

The data repository engine 222 can include any system for storing andindexing the data received from the data collection system 132. The datarepository engine 222 can store the data, including any generatedindexes, at the set of databases 232, which can include one or moredatabases or repositories for storing data. In some cases, the set ofdatabases 232 can store data in separate databases based on any factorincluding, for example, the type of data, the source of data, or thesecurity level or authorization class associated with the data and theclass of users who can access the data.

In some implementations, the set of databases 232 can dynamically expandand, in some cases, the set of databases 232 may be dynamicallystructured. For example, if the data repository engine 222 receives anew type of data that includes metadata fields not supported by theexisting databases of the set of databases 232, the data repositoryengine 222 can create and initialize a new database that includes themetadata fields as part of the set of databases 232. For instance,suppose the organization associated with the computing environment 102creates its first social media account for the organization to expandits marketing initiatives. Although the databases 232 may have fieldsfor customer information and vendor information, it may not have a fieldidentifying whether a customer or vendor has indicated they “like” or“follow” the organization on its social media page. The data repositoryengine 222 can create a new field in the databases 232 to store thisinformation and/or create a new database to capture informationextracted from the social media account including information thatrelates to the organization's customers and vendors.

In certain embodiments, the data repository engine 222 can createabstractions of and/or classify the data received from the datacollection system 132 using, for example, the task scheduler 224, the apriori classification engine 226, the a posteriori classification engine228, and the heuristics engine 230. The task scheduler 224 can includeany system that can manage the abstraction and classification of thedata received from the data collection system 132. In some embodiments,the task scheduler 224 can be included as part of the data repositoryengine 222.

Data that is to be classified and/or abstracted can be supplied to thetask scheduler 224. The task scheduler 224 can supply the data to the apriori classification engine 226, which can include any system that canclassify data based on a set of user-defined, predefined, orpredetermined classifications. These classifications may be provided bya user (e.g., an administrator) or may be provided by the developer ofthe BIM system 130. Although not limited as such, the predeterminedclassifications generally include objective classifications that can bedetermined based on attributes associated with the data. For example,the a priori classification engine 226 can classify communications basedon whether the communication is an email, an instant message, or a voicemail. As a second example, files may be classified based on the filetype, such as whether the file is a drawing file (e.g., an AutoCAD™file), a presentation file (e.g., a PowerPoint™ file), a spreadsheet(e.g., an Excel™ file), a word processing file (e.g., a Word™ file),etc. Although not limited as such, the a priori classification engine226 generally classifies data at or substantially near the time ofcollection by the collection engine 202. The a priori classificationengine 226 can classify the data prior to the data being stored in thedatabases 232. However, in some cases, the data may be stored prior toor simultaneously with the a priori classification engine 226classifying the data. The data may be classified based on one or morecharacteristics or pieces of metadata associated with the data. Forexample, an email may be classified based on the email address, a domainor provider associated with the email (e.g., a Yahoo® email address or acorporate email address), or the recipient of the email.

In addition to, or instead of, using the a priori classification engine226, the task scheduler 224 can provide the data to the a posterioriclassification engine 228 for classification or further classification.The a posteriori classification engine 228 can include any system thatcan determine trends with respect to the collected data. Although notlimited as such, the a posteriori classification engine 228 generallyclassifies data after the data has been collected and stored at thedatabases 232. However, in some cases, the a posteriori classificationengine 228 can also be used to classify data as it is collected by thecollection engine 202. Data may be processed and classified orreclassified multiple times by the a posteriori classification engine228. In some cases, the classification and reclassification of the dataoccurs on a continuing basis. In other cases, the classification andreclassification of data occurs during specific time periods of events.For example, data may be reclassified each day at midnight or once aweek. As another example, data may be reclassified each time one or moreof the a posteriori algorithms is modified or after the collection ofnew data.

In some cases, the a posteriori classification engine 228 classifiesdata based on one or more probabilistic algorithms. The probabilisticalgorithms may be based on any type of statistical analysis of thecollected data. For example, the probabilistic algorithms may be basedon Bayesian analysis or probabilities. Further, Bayesian inferences maybe used to update the probability estimates calculated by the aposteriori classification engine 228. In some implementations, the aposteriori classification engine 228 may use machine learning techniquesto optimize or update the a posteriori algorithms. In some embodiments,some of the a posteriori algorithms may determine the probability that apiece or set of data (e.g., an email) should have a particularclassification based on an analysis of the data as a whole.Alternatively, or in addition, some of the a posteriori algorithms maydetermine the probability that a set of data should have a particularclassification based on the combination of probabilistic determinationsassociated with subsets of the data, parameters, or metadata associatedwith the data (e.g., classifications associated with the content of theemail, the recipient of the email, the sender of the email, etc.).

For example, continuing with the email example, one probabilisticalgorithm may be based on the combination of the classification ordetermination of four characteristics associated with the email, whichmay be used to determine whether to classify the email as a personalemail, or non-work related. The first characteristic can include theprobability that an email address associated with a participant (e.g.,sender, recipient, BCC recipient, etc.) of the email conversation isused by a single employee. This determination may be based on the emailaddress itself (e.g., topic based versus name based email address), thecreator of the email address, or any other factor that can be used todetermine whether an email address is shared or associated with aparticular individual. The second characteristic can include theprobability that keywords within the email are not associated withpeer-to-peer or work-related communications. For example, terms ofendearment and discussion of children and children's activities are lesslikely to be included in work related communications. The thirdcharacteristic can include the probability that the email address isassociated with a participant domain or public service provider (e.g.,Yahoo® email or Google® email) as opposed to a corporate or work emailaccount. The fourth characteristic can include determining theprobability that the message or email thread can be classified asconversational as opposed to, for example, formal. For example, a seriesof quick questions in a thread of emails, the use of a number of slangwords, or excessive typographical errors may indicate that an email islikely conversational. The a posteriori classification engine 228 canuse the determined probabilities for the above four characteristics todetermine the probability that the email communication is personal asopposed to, for example, work-related, or spam email.

The combination of probabilities may not total 100%. Further, thecombination may itself be a probability and the classification can bebased on a threshold determination. For example, the threshold may beset such that an email is classified as personal if there is a 90%probability for three of the four above parameters indicating the emailis personal (e.g., email address is used by a single employee, thekeywords are not typical of peer-to-peer communication, at least some ofthe participant domains are from known public service providers, and themessage thread is conversational).

As another example of the a posteriori classification engine 228classifying data, the a posteriori classification engine 228 can use aprobabilistic algorithm to determine whether a participant of an emailis a customer. The a posteriori classification engine 228 can use theparticipant's identity (e.g., a customer) to facilitate classifying datathat is associated with the participant (e.g., emails, files, etc.). Todetermine whether the participant should be classified as a customer,the a posteriori classification engine 228 can examiner a number ofparameters including a relevant Active Directory Organizational Unit(e.g., sales, support, finance) associated with the participant and/orother participants in communication with the participant, theparticipant's presence in forum discussions, etc. In some cases,characteristics used to classify data may be weighted differently aspart of the probabilistic algorithm. For example, email domain may be apoor characteristic to classify a participant in some cases because theemail domain may be associated with multiple roles. For instance,Microsoft® may be a partner, a customer, and a competitor.

In some implementations, a user (e.g., an administrator) can define theprobabilistic algorithms used by the a posteriori classification engine228. For example, suppose customer Y is a customer of business X andthat the management of business X is interested in tracking thepercentage of communication between business X and customer Y thatrelates to sales. Further, suppose that a number of employees frombusiness X and a number of employees from business Y are incommunication via email. Some of these employees may be in communicationto discuss sales. However, it is also possible that some of theemployees may be in communication for technical support issues,invoicing, or for personal reasons (e.g., a spouse of a business Xemployee may work at customer Y). Thus, in this example, to track thepercentage of communication between business X and customer Y thatrelates to sales the user may define a probabilistic algorithm thatclassifies communications based on the probability that thecommunication relates to sales. The algorithm for determining theprobability may be based on a number of pieces of metadata associatedwith each communication. For example, the metadata may include thesender's job title, the recipient's job title, the name of the sender,the name of the recipient, whether the communication identifies aproduct number or an order number, the time of communication, a set ofkeywords in the content of the communication, etc.

Using the a posteriori classification engine 228, data may be classifiedbased on metadata associated with the data. For example, thecommunication in the above example can be classified based on whether itrelates to sales, supplies, project development, management, personnel,or is personal. The determination of what the data relates to can bebased on any criteria. For example, the determination may be based onkeywords associated with the data, the data owner, the data author, theidentity or roles of users who have accessed the data, the type of datafile, the size of the file, the data the file was created, etc.

In certain embodiments, the a posteriori classification engine 228 canuse the heuristics engine 230 to facilitate classifying data. Further,in some cases, the a posteriori classification engine 228 can use theheuristics engine 230 to validate classifications, to develop probableassociations between potentially related content, and to validate theassociations as the data collection system 132 collects more data. Incertain embodiments, the a posteriori classification engine 228 may basethe classifications of data on the associations between potentiallyrelated content. In some implementations, the heuristic engine 230 mayuse machine learning techniques to optimize or update the heuristicalgorithms.

In some embodiments, a user (e.g., an administrator) can verify whetherthe data or metadata has been correctly classified. Based on the resultof this verification, in some cases, the a posteriori classificationengine 228 may correct or update one or more classifications ofpreviously processed or classified data. Further, in someimplementations, the user can verify whether two or more pieces of dataor metadata have been correctly associated with each other. Based on theresult of this verification, the a posteriori classification engine 228using, for example, the heuristics engine 230 can correct one or moreassociations between previously processed data or metadata. Further, incertain embodiments, one or more of the a posteriori classificationengine 228 and the heuristics engine 230 may update one or morealgorithms used for processing the data provided by the data collectionsystem 132 based on the verifications provided by the user.

In some embodiments, the heuristics engine 230 may be used as a separateclassification engine from the a priori classification engine 226 andthe a posteriori classification engine 228. Alternatively, theheuristics engine 230 may be used in concert with one or more of the apriori classification engine 226 and the a posteriori classificationengine 228. Similar to the a posteriori classification engine 228, theheuristics engine 230 generally classifies data after the data has beencollected and stored at the databases 232. However, in some cases, theheuristics engine 230 can also be used to classify data as it iscollected by the collection engine 202.

The heuristics engine 230 can use any type of heuristic algorithm forclassifying data. For example, the heuristics engine 230 can determinewhether a number of characteristics are associated with the data andbased on the determination, classify the data. For example, data thatmentions a product, includes price information, addresses (e.g., billingand shipping addresses), and quantity information may be classified assales data. In some cases, the heuristics engine 230 can classify databased on a subset of characteristics. For example, if a majority ortwo-thirds of characteristics associated with a particularclassification are identified as existing in a set of data, theheuristics engine 230 can associate the classification with the set ofdata. In some cases, the heuristics engine 230 determines whether one ormore characteristics are associated with the data. In other words, theheuristics engine can determine whether a particular characteristic isor is not associated with the data. Alternatively, or in addition, theheuristics engine 230 can determine the value or attribute of aparticular characteristic associated with the data. The value orattribute of the characteristic may then be used to determine aclassification for the data. For example, one characteristic that may beused to classify data is the length of the data. For instance, in somecases, a long email may make one classification more likely that a shortemail.

The a priori classification engine 226 and the a posterioriclassification engine 228 can store the data classification at thedatabases 232. Further, the a posteriori classification engine 228 andthe heuristics engine 230 can store the probable associations betweenpotentially related data at the databases 232. In some cases, asclassifications and associations are updated based on, for example, userverifications or updates to the a posteriori and heuristicclassification and association algorithms, the data or metadata storedat the databases 232 can be modified to reflect the updates.

Users can communicate with the BIM system 130 using a client computingsystem (e.g., client 114, client 116, or client 118). In some cases,access to the BIM system 130, or to some features of the BIM system 130,may be restricted to users who are using clients associated with thecomputing environment 102. As described above, in some cases, at leastsome users can access the BIM system 130 to verify classifications andassociations of data by the data classification system 134. In addition,in some cases, at least some users can access at least some of the dataand/or metadata stored at the data classification system 134 using theBIM access system 136. The BIM access system 136 can include a userinterface 240, a query manager 242, and a query security manager 244.

The user interface 240 can generally include any system that enables auser to communicate with the BIM system 130. Further, the user interface240 enables the user to submit a query to the BIM system 130 to accessthe data or metadata stored at the databases 232. Moreover, the querycan be based on any number of or type of data or metadata fields orvariables. Advantageously, in certain embodiments, by enabling, a userto create a query based on any number or type of fields, complex queriescan be generated. Further, because the BIM system 130 can collect andanalyze data from a number of internal and external data sources, a userof the BIM system 130 can extract data that is not typically availableby accessing a single data source. For example, a user can query the BIMsystem 130 to locate all personal messages sent by the members of theuser's department within the last month. As a second example, a user canquery the BIM system 130 to locate all helpdesk requests received in aspecific month outside of business hours that were sent by customersfrom Europe. As an additional example, a product manager may create aquery to examine customer reactions to a new product release or thepitfalls associated with a new marketing campaign. The query may returndata that is based on a number of sources including, for example, emailsreceived from customers or users, Facebook® posts, Twitter® feeds, forumposts, quantity of returned products, etc.

Further, in some cases, a user can create a relatively simple query toobtain a larger picture of an organization's knowledge compared tosystems that are incapable of integrating the potentially large numberof information sources used by some businesses or organizations. Forexample, a user can query the BIM system 130 for information associatedwith customer X over a time range. In response, the BIM system 130 mayprovide the user with all information associated with customer X overthe time range, which can include who communicated with customer X, thepercentage of communications relating to specific topics (e.g., sales,support, etc.), the products designed for customer X, the employees whoperformed any work relating to customer X and the employees' roles, etc.This information may not be captured by a single source. For example,the communications may be obtained from an email server, the productsmay be identified from product drawings, and the employees and theirroles may be identified by examining who accessed specific files incombination with the employees' human resources (HR) records.

The query manager 242 can include any system that enables the user tocreate the query. The query manager 242 can cause the available types ofsearch parameters for searching the databases 232 to be presented to auser via the user interface 240. These search parameter types caninclude any type of search parameter that can be used to form a queryfor searching the databases 232. For example, the search parameter typescan include names (e.g., employee names, customer names, vendor names,etc.), data categories (e.g., sales, invoices, communications, designs,miscellaneous, etc.), stored data types (e.g., strings, integers, dates,times, etc.), data sources (e.g., internal data sources, external datasources, communication sources, sales department sources, product designsources, etc.), dates, etc. In some cases, the query manager 242 canalso parse a query provided by a user. For example, some queries may beprovided using a text-based interface or using a text-field in aGraphical User Interface (GUI). In such cases, the query manager 242 maybe configured to parse the query.

The query manager 242 can further include any system that enables theuser to create or select a query package that serves as the query. Incertain embodiments, the query manager 242 can maintain query packagesfor each user, group of users, and/or the like. The query packages canbe stored, for example, in a SQL database that maintains each user'squery packages in a table by a unique identifier. In some embodiments,each user may have a profile that includes a list of package identifiersfor that user. The query manager 242 can cause query packages associatedwith the user to be presented and made selectable via the user interface240. In various embodiments, the query manager 242 can also facilitatecreation of new query packages. New query packages can be madeaccessible to users in various ways. For example, the new query packagescan be created by the user, shared with the user by another user, pushedto the user by an administrator, or created in another fashion.

Further, the query manager 242 can cause any type of additional optionsfor querying the databases 232 to be presented to the user via the userinterface 240. These additional options can include, for example,options relating to how query results are displayed or stored.

In some cases, access to the data stored in the BIM system 130 may belimited to specific users or specific roles. For example, access to thedata may be limited to “Bob” or to senior managers. Further, some datamay be accessible by some users, but not others. For example, salesmanagers may be limited to accessing information relating to sales,invoicing, and marketing, technical managers may be limited to accessinginformation relating to product development, design and manufacture, andexecutive officers may have access to both types of data, and possiblymore. In certain embodiments, the query manager 242 can limit the searchparameter options that are presented to a user for forming a query basedon the user's identity and/or role.

The query security manager 244 can include any system for regulating whocan access the data or subsets of data. The query security manager 244can regulate access to the databases 232 and/or a subset of theinformation stored at the databases 232 based on any number and/or typesof factors. For example, these factors can include a user's identity, auser's role, a source of the data, a time associated with the data(e.g., the time the data was created, a time the data was last accessed,an expiration time, etc.), whether the data is historical or current,etc.

Further, the query security manager 244 can regulate access to thedatabases 232 and/or a subset of the information stored at the databases232 based on security restrictions or data access policies implementedby the business logic security manager 208. For example, the businesslogic security manager 208 may identify all data that is “sensitive”based on a set of rules, such as whether the data mentions one or morekeywords relating to an unannounced product in development. Continuingthis example, the business logic security manager 208 may label thesensitive data as, for example, sensitive, and may identify which usersor roles, which are associated with a set of users, can access datalabeled as sensitive. The query security manager 244 can then regulateaccess to the data labeled as sensitive based on the user or the roleassociated with the user who is accessing the databases 232.

Although illustrated separately, in some embodiments, the query securitymanager 244 can be included as part of the query manager 242. Further,in some cases, one or both of the query security manager 244 and thequery manager 242 can be included as part of the user interface 240. Incertain embodiments, some or all of the previously described systems canbe combined or further divided into additional systems. Further, some orall of the previously described systems may be implemented in hardware,software, or a combination of hardware and software.

Example Data Collection Process

FIG. 3 presents a flowchart of an example of a data collection process300. The process 300 can be implemented by any system that can accessone or more data sources to collect data for storage and analysis. Forexample, the process 300, in whole or in part, can be implemented by oneor more of the data collection system 132, the collection engine 202,the access manager 204, the business logic engine 206, and the businesslogic security manager 208. In some cases, the process 300 can beperformed generally by the BIM system 130. Although any number ofsystems, in whole or in part, can implement the process 300, to simplifydiscussion, the process 300 will be described in relation to specificsystems or subsystems of the BIM system 130.

The process 300 begins at block 302 where, for example, the collectionengine 202 accesses data from the internal data sources 120. At block304, the collection engine 202 accesses data from the external datasources 122. In some cases, either the block 302 or 304 may be optional.Accessing the data may include obtaining the data or a copy of the datafrom the internal data sources 120. Further, accessing the data mayinclude accessing metadata associated with the data. In someembodiments, the collection engine 202 may obtain copies of the metadataor access the data to obtain or determine metadata associated with thedata without obtaining a copy of the data. For example, in some cases,the collection engine 202 may access email from an email server toobtain metadata (e.g., sender, recipient, time sent, whether files areattached, etc.) associated with email messages with or, in some cases,without obtaining a copy of the email.

As previously described, accessing one or more of the internal datasources 120 and the external data sources 122 may involve using one ormore credentials or accessing one or more accounts associated with thedata sources. In such embodiments, the collection engine 202 may use theaccess manager 204 to access the credentials and/or to facilitateaccessing the data sources.

Generally, although not necessarily, the data obtained at blocks 302 and304 is raw data that is obtained in the format that the data is storedat the data sources with little to no modification. At block 306, thebusiness logic engine 206, as described above, can reformat or transformthe accessed or collected data for analysis and/or storage. Reformattingthe accessed or collected data can include formatting the data to enablefurther processing by the BIM system 130. Further, reformatting theaccessed or collected data can include formatting the data in a formatspecified by a user (e.g., an administrator). In addition, in certaincases, reformatting the data can include extracting metadata from theaccessed or collected data. In some cases, block 306 can includeabstracting the data to facilitate analysis. For example, assuming thedata under analysis is an email, a number of users may be identified.For instance, an email may include a sender, one or more recipients,which may also include users that are carbon copied, or listed on the CCline, and Blind Carbon Copied, or listed on the BCC line, and, in somecases, non-user recipients, such as lists or email addresses that resultin a copy of the email being placed in an electronic folder for storage.Each of these users can be abstracted as “communication participant.”The data can then be analyzed and/or stored with each user identified,for example, as a “communication participant.” As another example ofabstracting the data, the text content of each type of message can beabstracted as “message body.” Thus, an email, a Twitter® post, and aFacebook® post, and a forum post, and a product review can all beabstracted as “message body.” By abstracting data, the BIM system 130enables more in-depth searching across multiple data sources. Forexample, a user can search for all messages associated withcommunication participant X. The result of the search can include anytype of message that is associated with user X including emails sent byuser X, emails received by user X, product review by user X, Twitter®posts by user X, etc. In some embodiments, the databases 232 may storethe abstracted or transformed data and the original data or referencesto the original sources of data. In other embodiments, the databases 232may store the abstracted or transformed data in place of the originaldata.

In some cases, reformatting the data may be optional. For example, incases where the collection engine 202 collects metadata from sourcesthat share a common or substantially similar data storage format, theblock 306 may be unnecessary.

At block 308, the business logic security manager 208 applies a securityor data access policy to the collected data. Applying the securitypolicy can include preventing the collection engine 202 from accessingsome data. For example, applying the security policy can includepreventing the collection engine 202 from accessing encrypted files,files associated with a specific project or user, or files markedprivate. Further, applying the security policy can include marking oridentifying data, based on the security policy, that should not bestored at the databases 232, that should be accessible by a set of usersor roles, or that should be inaccessible by a set of users or roles. Thebusiness logic security manager 208 can filter any data marked forexclusion from storage in the databases 232 at block 310. Further, thebusiness logic security manager 208 and/or the business logic engine 206can filter out any data to be excluded based on a data access policy,which can be based on any type of factor for excluding data. Forexample, data may be filtered based on the age of the data, such asfiles created more than five years ago or emails more than two yearsold.

At block 312, the business logic engine 206 or the business logicsecurity manager 208 may classify the collected and/or filtered data.The data may be classified based on, for example, who can access thedata, the type of data, the source of the data, or any other factor thatcan be used to classify data. In some embodiments, the data may beprovided to the data classification system 134 for classification. Somenon-limiting embodiments of a process for classifying the data aredescribed in further detail below with respect to the process 400, whichis illustrated in FIG. 4.

The business logic engine 206 further formats the data for storage atblock 314. Formatting the data for storage can include creating alow-level abstraction of the data, transforming the data, or extractingmetadata for storage in place of the data. In some cases, block 314 caninclude some or all of the embodiments described above with respect tothe block 306. In some embodiments, data may go through one abstractionor transformation process at the block 306 to optimize the data foranalysis and go through another abstraction or transformation process atthe block 314 to optimize the data for storage and/or query access. Insome embodiments, the metadata may be stored in addition to the data.Further, the metadata, in some cases, may be used for querying thedatabases 232. For example, a user can search the databases 232 forinformation based on one or more metadata fields. In some embodiments,one or more of the blocks 306 and 314 may be optional.

At block 316, the data collection system 132 can cause the data to bestored at, for example, the databases 232. This stored data can includeone or more of the collected data, the metadata, and the abstracteddata. In some embodiments, storing the data can include providing thedata to the data repository 222 for indexing. In such embodiments, thedata repository 222 can store the indexed data at the databases 232.

Although the process 300 was presented above in a specific order, it ispossible for the operations of the process 300 to be performed in adifferent order or in parallel. For example, the business logic securitymanager 208 may perform the block 308, at least in part, prior to or inparallel with the blocks 302 and 304. As a second example, the businesslogic engine 206 may perform the block 306 as each item of data isaccessed or after a set of data is accessed at the blocks 302 and 304.

Example Data Classification Process

FIG. 4 presents a flowchart of an example of a data classificationprocess 400. The process 400 can be implemented by any system that canclassify data and/or metadata. For example, the process 400, in whole orin part, can be implemented by one or more of the data classificationsystem 134, the data repository engine 222, the task scheduler 224, thea priori classification engine 226, the a posteriori classificationengine 228, and the heuristics engine 230. In some cases, the process400 can be performed generally by the BIM system 130. Although anynumber of systems, in whole or in part, can implement the process 400,to simplify discussion, the process 400 will be described in relation tospecific systems or subsystems of the BIM system 130.

The process 400 begins at block 402 where, for example, the datacollection system 132 accesses data from one or more of the internaldata sources 120 and the external data sources 122. The data collectionsystem 132 may use the collection engine 202 to access the data.Further, the block 402 can include some or all of the embodimentsdescribed above with respect to the blocks 302 and 304. Moreover, someor all of the process 300 described above can be performed as part ofthe process performed at block 402. In some embodiments, the process 400can be performed as part of the block 312 above. In such embodiments,the block 402 may include the data collection system 132 providing thedata, a reformatted version of the data, an abstraction of the data,and/or metadata to the data classification system 134. In someimplementations, the process 400 may be performed separately orindependently of the data collection process. In such embodiments, theblock 402 may include accessing the data from the databases 232. In somecases, the databases 232 may include a database for classified data anda separate database for data that has not yet been classified.

At block 404, the a priori classification engine 226 classifies the databased on a set of user-specified classification rules. As previouslymentioned, a developer of the BIM system 130 or a user (e.g., anadministrator) may specify the classification rules. Further, theclassification rules can include any rules for classifying data based onthe data or metadata associated with the data. For example, data may beclassified based on the author of the data, the owner of the data, thetime the data was created, etc.

At block 406, the a posteriori classification engine 228 classifies thedata using a posteriori analysis. This may include the a posterioriclassification engine 228 using one or more probabilistic algorithms todetermine one or more classifications for the data. The a posterioriclassification engine 228 can use any type of probabilistic algorithmfor classifying the data. For example, the classification may be basedon one or more Bayesian probability algorithms. As another example, thea posteriori classification may be based on clustering of similar ordissimilar pieces of data. One example of such an approach that can beadapted for use herein is the Braun-Blanquet method that is sometimesused in vegetation science. One or both of the a priori classificationand the a posteriori classification may be based on one or morevariables or criteria associated with the data or metadata.

In some embodiments, the a posteriori classification engine 228 may usethe heuristics engine 230 to facilitate calculating the probabilisticclassifications of the data. For example, the a posterioriclassification engine 228 can modify the probabilities used to classifythe data based on a determination of the heuristics engine 230 of theaccuracy of the classification of previously classified data. Theheuristics engine 230 may determine the accuracy of the classificationof previously classified data based on, for example, feedback by theuser. This feedback may include, for example, manual reclassification ofdata, indications by a user of the accuracy of prior classifications,indications of the accuracy or usefulness of query results from queryingthe databases 232 that include the classified data, etc. Further, theheuristics engine 230 may determine the accuracy of the classificationof previously classified data based on, for example, the classificationsof data accessed more recently than the previously classified data. Insome cases, the more recent data may have been accessed before or at thesame time as the previously classified data, but may be classified afterthe previously classified data.

At block 408, the heuristics engine 230 can classify data using aheuristics analysis. As previously described, in some cases, theheuristics engine 230 can classify the data based on the number orpercentage of characteristics or attributes associated with the datathat match a particular classification.

In some embodiments, the task scheduler 224 schedules one or more of theblocks 404, 406, and 408. Further, in some cases, the task scheduler 224may determine whether to perform the process 400 and/or one or more ofthe blocks 404, 406, and 408. In some cases, one or more of the blocks404, 406, and 408 may be optional. For instance, an initialclassification may be associated with data when it is collected via theprocess associated with the block 404. The data may then be furtherclassified or reclassified at collection, or at a later time, using theprocess associated with the block 406, the block 408, or a combinationof the blocks 406 and 408.

At block 410, the data repository engine 222 stores or causes to bestored the data and the data classifications at the databases 232. Insome cases, the data repository engine 222 may store metadata associatedwith the data at the databases 232 instead of, or in addition to,storing the data.

At block 412, the data repository engine 222 can update the a posteriorialgorithms based on the classifications determined for the data. Inaddition, or alternatively, the a posteriori algorithms may be updatedbased on previously classified data. The a posteriori algorithms may beupdated based on customer feedback and/or the determination of theheuristics engine 230 as described above with respect to the block 406.Further, updating the a posteriori algorithms may include modifying theprobabilistic weights applied to one or more variables or pieces ofmetadata used to determine the one or more classifications of the data.Moreover, updating the a posteriori algorithms may include modifying theone or more variables or pieces of metadata used to determine the one ormore classifications of the data. In some cases, the block 412 caninclude modifying the heuristic algorithms used at the block 408. Forexample, the number of characteristics required to classify the datawith a particular classification may be modified. In addition, oralternatively, the weight applied to each of the characteristics may bemodified at the block 412.

As with the process 300, it is possible for the operations of theprocess 400 to be performed in a different order or in parallel. Forexample, the blocks 404 and 406 may be performed in a different order orin parallel.

Example Data Query Process Using User-Provided Query

FIG. 5 presents a flowchart of an example of a data query process 500.The process 500 can be implemented by any system that can process aquery provided by a user or another system and cause the results of thequery to be presented to the user or provided to the other system. Forexample, the process 500, in whole or in part, can be implemented by oneor more of the BIM access system 136, the user interface 240, the querymanager 242, and the query security manager 244. In some cases, theprocess 500 can be performed generally by the BIM system 130. Althoughany number of systems, in whole or in part, can implement the process500, to simplify discussion, the process 500 will be described inrelation to specific systems or subsystems of the BIM system 130.

The process 500 begins at block 502 where, for example, the userinterface 240 receives a set of one or more search parameters from auser via a client (e.g., the client 114). In some embodiments, thesearch parameters may be provided by another computing system. Forexample, in some embodiments, an application running on a server (notshown) or a client (e.g., the client 116) may be configured to query theBIM system 130 in response to an event or at a predetermined time. Theapplication can then use the result of the query to perform anapplication-specific process. For instance, an application or script maybe configured to query the BIM system 130 every month to determine theworkload of each employee or of the employees in a specific departmentof an organization to determine, for example, whether additionalemployees are needed or whether the allocation of human resources withindifferent departments should be redistributed. In this example, theapplication can determine whether to alert a user based on the result ofthe determination.

In some implementations, a user can provide a text-based query to theuser interface 240. This text-based query can be parsed by, for example,the user interface 240 and/or the query manager 242. Alternatively, orin addition, the user interface 240 can provide a set of query optionsand/or fields that a user can use to formulate a query of the BIM system130. The query options or fields can include any type of option or fieldthat can be used to form a query of the BIM system 130. For example, thequery options or fields can include tags, classifications, time ranges,keywords, user identifiers, user roles, customer identifiers, vendoridentifiers, corporate locations, geographic locations, etc. In someembodiments, the query options and/or search fields presented to a usermay be generated based on the data stored in the databases 232. Forexample, if the databases 232 includes email data, a sender field and arecipient field may be available for generating a query. However, if thedatabases 232 lacks any email data, the sender and recipient fields maynot be available for generating a query.

In some cases, the query security manager 244 can limit or determine thefields or options that the user interface 240 can present to the userbased on, for example, the user's permissions or the user's role. Forexample, fields relating to querying the BIM system 130 regarding thecontent of a business's email may be unavailable to a user who is notauthorized to search the contents of collected email. For instance,searching the content of emails may be limited to the legal departmentfor compliance purposes. Other users may be prohibited from searchingthe email content for privacy reasons.

At block 504, the query manager 242 formats a query based on the searchparameters received at block 502. Formatting the query may includetransforming the search parameters and query options provided by theuser into a form that can be processed by the data repository engine222. In certain embodiments, the block 504 may be optional. For example,in some cases the search parameters may be provided by the user in aform of a query that can be processed by the BIM system 130 withoutmodification.

At block 506, the user interface 240 receives one or more usercredentials from the user. In some cases, the user credentials may bereceived from an application. The user credentials can include any typeof credential or identifier that can be used to identify a user and/ordetermine a set of permissions or a level of authorization associatedwith the user. At block 508, the query security manager 244 can validatethe user, or application, based at least in part on the user credentialsreceived at the user interface 240. Validating the user can includeidentifying the user, identifying permissions associated with the user,the user's role, and/or an authorization level associated with the user.In some embodiments, if the query security manager 244 is unable tovalidate the user or determines that the user lacks authorization toaccess the BIM system 130 and/or query the databases 232, the querysecurity manager 244 may reject the user's query. Further, the userinterface 240 may inform the user that the user is not authorized toaccess the BIM system 130 or to query the databases 232. In someimplementations, if the user identifies as a guest or if the querysecurity manager 244 is unable to validate the guest, the user may beassociated with a guest identity and/or a set of guest permissions,which may permit limited access to the BIM system 130 or the data storedat the databases 232. In some cases, a guest may receive full access tothe BIM system 130. However, the actions of the guest may be logged orlogged differently than the actions of an identified user.

At block 510, the query security manager 244 attaches the userpermissions to the query. Alternatively, or in addition, the querysecurity manager may attach the user's identity, role, and/orauthorization level to the query. In some embodiments, one or more ofthe blocks 506, 508, and 510 may be optional.

At block 512, the query manager 242 retrieves data, and/or metadata,satisfying the query. In some implementations, the block 512 may includeproviding the query to the data repository engine 222 for processing.The data repository engine 222 can then query the databases 232 toobtain data that satisfies the query. This data can then be provided tothe query manager 242.

At decision block 514, the query security manager 244 can determinewhether the user has permission, or is authorized, to access the datathat satisfies the query. Determining whether the user has permission toaccess the data may be based on any type of factor that can be used todetermine whether a user can access data. For example, the determinationmay be based, at least in part, on the user's credentials, the user'spermissions, a security level associated with the data, etc. In somecases, the data repository engine 222 may perform the decision block 514as part of the process associated with the block 512.

If the query security manager 244 determines that the user does not havepermission to access the data, the query security manager 244 rejectsthe user query at block 516. In some cases, rejecting the user query mayinclude informing the user that the query is not authorized and/or thatthe user is not authorized to access the data associated with the query.In other cases, rejecting the user query may include doing nothing orpresenting an indication to the user that no data satisfies the user'squery.

If the query security manager 244 determines that the user does havepermission to access the data, the user interface 240 provides the userwith access to the data at block 518. Providing the user with access tothe data can include presenting the data on a webpage, in anapplication-generated window, in a file, in an email, or any othermethod for providing data to a user. In some cases, the data may becopied to a file and the user may be informed that the data is ready foraccess by, for example, providing the user with a copy of the file, alink to the file, or a location associated with the file.

With some queries, a user may be authorized to access some data thatsatisfies the query, but not other data that satisfies the query. Insuch cases, the user may be presented with the data that the user isauthorized to access. Further, the user may be informed that additionaldata exists that was not provided because, for example, the user was notauthorized to access the data. In other cases, the user may not beinformed that additional data exists that was not provided.

In some embodiments, the decision block 514 and block 516 may beoptional. For example, in some cases where the search parametersavailable to a user are based on the user's permissions, decision block514 may be superfluous. However, in other embodiments, both the searchparameters available to the user and the data the user can access areindependently determined based on the user's permissions.

Advantageously, in certain embodiments, the process 500 can be used toidentify new information and/or to determine trends that would be moredifficult or identify or not possible to identify based on a single datasource. For example, the process 500 can be used to identify the mostproductive and least productive employees of an organization based on avariety of metrics. Examining a single data source may not provide thisinformation because employees serve different roles. Further, differentemployees are unproductive in different ways. For example, someemployees may spend time an inordinate amount of time on socialnetworking sites or emailing friends. Other employees may procrastinateby playing games or by talking in the kitchen. Thus, examining onlyemail use or Internet activity may not provide an accurate determinationof which employees are more productive. In addition, some employees canaccomplish more work in less time than other employees. Thus, todetermine which employees are the most productive during working hoursrequires examining a number of data sources. The BIM system 130 makesthis possible by enabling a user to generate a query that relates theamount of time in the office to the amount of time spent procrastinatingat different types of activities to the number of work-related tasksthat are accomplished.

As a second example, the BIM system 130 can be used to identify thesalespersons and the communications techniques that are most effectivefor each customer. For instance, a user can generate a query thatrelates sales, the method of communication, the content ofcommunication, the salespersons contacting each of the customers, andthe customers. Based on the result of this query, a manager may be ableto determine that certain salespersons generate larger sales when usinga particular communication method with a particular customer while othersalespersons may be more effective with a different communication methodwith the particular customer or may be more effective with othercustomers.

An additional example of an application of the BIM system 130 caninclude gauging employee reaction to an executive memorandum or areorganization announcement. Queries can be generated to access allcommunications associated with the memorandum or announcement.Alternatively, or in addition, queries can be generated to identify thegeneral mood of employees post memorandum or announcement. These queriescan examine the tone of emails and other communications (e.g., socialnetworking posts, etc.). Additional examples of applications for usingthe BIM system 130 can include determining whether employees arecommunicating with external sources in a manner that adheres tocorporate policies, communicating with customers in a timely fashion, oraccessing data that is unrelated to their job role.

Example of a Heuristics Engine

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a heuristics engine 602. In a typicalembodiment, the heuristics engine 602 operates as described with respectto the heuristics engine 230 of FIG. 2. In a typical embodiment, theheuristics engine 602 is operable to perform a heuristics analysis foreach of a plurality of different classifications and thereby reach aclassification result for each classification. The classification resultmay be, for example, an indication whether a given classification shouldbe assigned to given data. For purposes of simplicity, the heuristicsengine 602 may be periodically described, by way of example, withrespect to a single classification.

The heuristics engine 602 includes a profiling engine 604 and acomparison engine 606. In a typical embodiment, the profiling engine 604is operable to develop one or more profiles 608 by performing, forexample, a multivariate analysis. For example, in certain embodiments,the one or more profiles 608 may relate to what constitutes a personalmessage. In these embodiments, the profiling engine 604 can perform amultivariate analysis of communications known to be personal messages inorder to develop the one or more profiles 608. In some embodiments, theone or more profiles 608 can also be manually established.

In typical embodiment, the one or more profiles 608 can each include aninclusion list 610 and a filter list 612. The inclusion list 610 caninclude a list of tokens such as, for example, words, that have beendetermined to be associated with the classification to which the profilecorresponds (e.g., personal message, business message, etc.). In atypical embodiment, for each token in the inclusion list 610, theappearance of the token in a communication makes it more likely that thecommunication should be assigned the classification. The filter list 612can include a list of tokens such as, for example, words, that have beendetermined to have little to no bearing on whether a given communicationshould be assigned the classification. In some embodiments, the filterlist 612 may be common across all classifications.

In certain embodiments, the inclusion list 610 may be associated withstatistical data that is maintained by the profiling engine 604. Basedon the statistical data, the one or more profiles 608 can provide means,or expected values, relative to the inclusion list 610. In someembodiments, the expected value may be based on an input such as alength of a given communication (e.g., a number of characters or words).According to this example, the expected value may be an expected numberof “hits” on the inclusion list 610 for a personal message of aparticular length. The particular length may correspond to a length ofthe given communication. By way of further example, the expected valuemay be an expected percentage of words of a personal message that are“hits” on the inclusion list 610. Optionally, the expected percentagemay be based on a length of the given communication in similar fashionto that described above with respect to the expected number of “hits.”

The comparison engine 606 is operable to compare data to the one or moreprofiles 108 based on configurations 612. The configurations 612typically include heuristics for establishing whether data should beclassified into the classification. In particular, the configurations612 can include one or more thresholds that are established relative tothe statistical data maintained by the profiling engine 604. Forexample, each threshold can be established as a number of standarddeviations relative to an expected value.

For example, continuing the personal-message classification exampledescribed above, the configurations 614 may require that an actual valueof a given metric for a new communication not be more than two standarddeviations below the expected value of the given metric. In thisfashion, if the actual value is not more than two standard deviationsbelow the expected value, the new communication may be assigned theclassification. The given metric may be, for example, a number orpercentage of “hits” as described above.

Example of a Heuristics Process

FIG. 7 presents a flowchart of an example of a heuristics process 700for classifying data into a classification. The process 700 can beimplemented by any system that can classify data and/or metadata. Forexample, the process 700, in whole or in part, can be implemented by aheuristics engine such as, for example, the heuristics engine 230 ofFIG. 2 or the heuristics engine 602 of FIG. 6. In some cases, theprocess 700 can be performed generally by the BIM system 130. Althoughany number of systems, in whole or in part, can implement the process700, to simplify discussion, the process 700 will be described inrelation to the heuristics engine. The process 700 begins at step 702.

At step 702, the heuristics engine receives new data. The new data maybe considered to be representative of any data, inclusive of metadata,for which classification is desired. The new data may be, for example, anew communication. From step 702, the process 700 proceeds to step 704.At step 704, the heuristics engine identifies one or more comparisonattributes in the new data. For example, the one or more comparisonattributes may be actual values for given metrics such as, for example,a number or percentage of “hits” on an inclusion list such as theinclusion list 610 of FIG. 6. From step 704, the process 700 proceeds tostep 706.

At step 706, the heuristics engine compares the one or more comparisonattributes with one or more thresholds. The one or more thresholds maybe defined as part of configurations such as, for example, theconfigurations 614 of FIG. 6. From step 706, the process 700 proceeds tostep 708. At step 708, the heuristics engine determines whetherclassification criteria has been satisfied. In a typical embodiment, theclassification criteria is representative of criteria for determiningwhether the new data should be assigned the classification. Theclassification criteria may specify, for example, that all or aparticular combination of the one or more thresholds be satisfied.

If it is determined at step 708 that the classification criteria notbeen satisfied, the process 700 proceeds to step 712 where the process700 ends without the new data being assigned the classification. If itis determined at step 708 that the classification criteria has beensatisfied, the process 700 proceeds to step 710. At step 710, theheuristics engine assigns the classification to the new data. From step710, the process 700 proceeds to step 712. At step 712, the process 700ends.

Example of Query Packages

In certain embodiments, data queries as described with respect to FIGS.1-5 may also be accomplished using query packages. A query packagegenerally encapsulates package attributes such as, for example, searchparameters as described above with respect to queries, as long withother package attributes that enable enhanced functionality. Forexample, a query package can further encapsulate a package attributethat specifies a type of data visualization that is to be created usingthe queried data. The type of data visualization can include, forexample, scatterplots, pie charts, tables, bar charts, geospatialrepresentations, heat maps, chord charts, interactive graphs, bubblecharts, candlestick charts, stoplight charts, spring graphs, and/orother types of charts, graphs, or manners of displaying data.

In some embodiments, query packages may run one specific query. Invarious other embodiments, query packages may run multiple queries.Table 1 below lists exemplary package attributes that can be included ina given query package.

TABLE 1 PACKAGE ATTRIBUTE(S) DESCRIPTION Package Name A name by whichthe query package can be referenced. Package A description of the querypackage's operation. Description Security Scope Optionally specify asecurity and data access policy as described with respect to FIG. 2.Visualization Specifies a type of data visualization such as, forexample, scatterplots, pie charts, tables, bar charts, geospatialrepresentations, heat maps, chord charts, interactive graphs, bubblecharts, candlestick charts, stoplight charts, spring graphs, and/orother types of charts, graphs, or manners of displaying data. In caseswhere the package is representative of multiple queries, thevisualization attribute may be represented as an array of visualizationsthat can each have a visualization type, a data source, and a targetentity (e.g., entity that is being counted such as, for example,messages, message participants, etc.) Default Group- Retrieves dataaccording to, for example, one or By Field more data columns (e.g., bylocation, department, etc.). Aggregation A time period such as, forexample, daily, hourly, Period etc. Data-Smoothing Specifies one or morealgorithms that attempt to Attributes capture important patterns in thedata, while leaving out noise or other fine-scale structures/rapidphenomena. Visualization- Certain types of visualizations may requireSpecific additional attributes such as, for example, Attributesspecification of settings for sorting, number of elements in a dataseries, etc. Facet Names Data (or fields) related to the query that canbe used to categorize data. Particular values of facets can be used, forexample, to constrain query results. Array of Entities An array ofentities that can each have, for example, a name, entity type (e.g.,message), filter expression, and a parent-entity property. Array ofFacets An array of facets that can each have, for example, a name,group-by field, and a minimum/maximum number of results to show.

In a typical embodiment, query packages can be shared among users ordistributed to users, for example, by an administrator. In a typicalembodiment, one user may share a particular query package with anotheruser or group of users via the user interface 240. In similar fashionthe other user or group of users can accept the query package via theuser interface 240. Therefore, the query manager 242 can add the sharedquery package for the user or group of users. As described above, thequery manager 242 generally maintains each user's query packages in atable by a unique identifier. In a typical embodiment, query packagesfurther facilitate sharing by specifying data and data sources in arelative fashion that is, for example, relative to a user running thequery. For example, package attributes can refer to data owned by a userrunning the query or to data that is owned by users under thesupervision of the user running the query rather than to specific dataor users.

Example Data Query Process Using Query Packages

FIG. 8 presents a flowchart of an example of a data query process 800that uses query packages. The process 800 can be implemented by anysystem that can process a query package provided by a user or anothersystem and cause the results of a query encapsulated therein to bepresented to the user or provided to the other system. For example, theprocess 800, in whole or in part, can be implemented by one or more ofthe BIM access system 136, the user interface 240, the query manager242, and the query security manager 244. In some cases, the process 800can be performed generally by the BIM system 130. Although any number ofsystems, in whole or in part, can implement the process 800, to simplifydiscussion, the process 800 will be described in relation to specificsystems or subsystems of the BIM system 130.

The process 800 begins at block 802 where, for example, the userinterface 240 from a user a selection of a query package. In variousembodiments, the query package may be selected from a list or graphicalrepresentation of query packages. As described above, the query packagetypically specifies a data visualization based on a data query. Invarious embodiments, the query package may specify more than one datavisualization and/or be based on more than one data query. At block 804,the query manager 242 formats one or more queries based on the querypackage selected at block 802. In certain embodiments, the block 804 maybe optional. For example, in some cases the query package may alreadyinclude a query that can be processed by the BIM system 130 withoutmodification.

At block 806, the user interface 240 receives one or more usercredentials from the user. In some cases, the user credentials may bereceived from an application. The user credentials can include any typeof credential or identifier that can be used to identify a user and/ordetermine a set of permissions or a level of authorization associatedwith the user. At block 808, the query security manager 244 can validatethe user, or application, based at least in part on the user credentialsreceived at the user interface 240. Validating the user can includeidentifying the user, identifying permissions associated with the user,the user's role, and/or an authorization level associated with the user.In some embodiments, if the query security manager 244 is unable tovalidate the user or determines that the user lacks authorization toaccess the BIM system 130 and/or query the databases 232, the querysecurity manager 244 may reject the one or more queries. Further, theuser interface 240 may inform the user that the user is not authorizedto access the BIM system 130 or to query the databases 232. In someimplementations, if the user identifies as a guest or if the querysecurity manager 244 is unable to validate the guest, the user may beassociated with a guest identity and/or a set of guest permissions,which may permit limited access to the BIM system 130 or the data storedat the databases 232. In some cases, a guest may receive full access tothe BIM system 130. However, the actions of the guest may be logged orlogged differently than the actions of an identified user.

At block 810, the query security manager 244 attaches the userpermissions to the one or more queries. Alternatively, or in addition,the query security manager may attach the user's identity, role, and/orauthorization level to the one or more queries. In some embodiments, oneor more of the blocks 806, 808, and 810 may be optional.

At block 812, the query manager 242 retrieves data, and/or metadata,satisfying the one or more queries. In some implementations, the block812 may include providing the one or more queries to the data repositoryengine 222 for processing. The data repository engine 222 can then querythe databases 232 to obtain data that satisfies the one or more queries.This data can then be provided to the query manager 242.

At decision block 814, the query security manager 244 can determinewhether the user has permission, or is authorized, to access the datathat satisfies the one or more queries. Determining whether the user haspermission to access the data may be based on any type of factor thatcan be used to determine whether a user can access data. For example,the determination may be based, at least in part, on the user'scredentials, the user's permissions, a security level associated withthe data, etc. In some cases, the data repository engine 222 may performthe decision block 814 as part of the process associated with the block812.

If the query security manager 244 determines that the user does not havepermission to access the data, the query security manager 244 rejectsthe one or more queries at block 816. In some cases, rejecting the oneor more queries may include informing the user that the query packagenot authorized and/or that the user is not authorized to access the dataassociated with the query package. In other cases, rejecting the one ormore queries may include doing nothing or presenting an indication tothe user that no data satisfies the query package.

If the query security manager 244 determines that the user does havepermission to access the data, the query manager 242 (or a separatevisualization component) generates the data visualization at block 818.At block 820, the user interface 240 provides the data visualization tothe user. Providing the user the data visualization can includepresenting the data visualization on a webpage, in anapplication-generated window, in a file, in an email, or any othermethod for providing data to a user. In some cases, the datavisualization may be copied to a file and the user may be informed thatthe data visualization is ready for access by, for example, providingthe user with a copy of the file, a link to the file, or a locationassociated with the file.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a user interface that can be used by auser to select a query package.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a user interface that can be used by auser to create or modify a query package.

Example of a Data Model

Table 2 below provides an example of a data model that can be utilizedby a BIM system such as, for example, the BIM system 130. In particular,Table 2 illustrates several entities that can be used to modelcommunications such as, for example, personal communications or businesscommunications.

TABLE 2 ENTITY FIELD DATA TYPE Message Body String ClassificationsStrings Content String Date Date Time External Recipients Entities(Message Participant) File Attachments Entities (File) In reply toEntity (Message) Internal Recipients Entities (Message Participant) IsEncrypted Boolean Message Attachments Entities (Messages) Message IDsStrings Original Message ID String Participants Entities (MessageParticipant) Platform Enum (Message Platform type) Recipients Entities(Message Participant) Send Date Date Time Send Time of Day Time SenderEntity (Message Participant) Size Integer Subject String Thread Entity(Message Thread) Type Enum (Message Address Type) Message Date Date TimeParticipant Deletion Date Date Time Delivery Time Time Span Has BeenDelivered Boolean ID String Is Addressed in BCC Boolean Is Addressed inCC Boolean Is Addressed in TO Boolean Is External Recipient Boolean IsInternal Recipient Boolean Is Recipient Boolean Is Sender BooleanMessgeAsSender Entity (Message) MessageAsInternalRecipient Entity(Message) MessageAsExternal Recipient Entity (Message) Message AddressEntity (Message Address) Person Entity (Person Snapshot) Receipt DateDate Time Receipt Time of Day Time Responses Entity (Message) ResponseTime Time Span Message Domain Entity (ONS Domain) Address Is ExternalBoolean Is Internal Boolean Name String Platform Enum (Message PlatformType) Type Enum (Message Address Type DNS Name String Domain AddressEntities (Messaging Address) Person All Reports Entities (PersonSnapshot) Snapshot Company String Department String Direct ReportsEntities (Person Snapshot) First Name String Full Name String HistoryEntity (Person History) ID String Initials String Job Title String LastName String Manager Entity (Person Snapshot) Managers Entities (PersonSnapshot) Messaging Addresses Entities (Message Address) MessageParticipants Office String OU String Snapshot Date Date Time StreetAddress Complex Type (Street Address) Telephone Numbers Strings StreetCity String Address Country or Region String PO Box String State orProvince String Street String Zip or Postal Code String Person CurrentEntity (Person) History Historic Entities (Person) ID String MessagesEntities (Message) Timestamp Date Time Message ID String Thread MessagesEntities (Message) Participants Entities (Message Participant Threadsubject String Timestamp Date Time File Filename String ID StringMessages Entities (Message) Modified Date Date Time Size Integer HashStringExamples of Utilization of a BIM Access System

Table 3, Table 4, and Table 5 below provide several examples of how aBIM access system such as, for example, the BIM access system 136, canbe utilized. In various embodiments, each example may be implemented asuser-generated queries or query packages as described above. Inparticular, Table 3 illustrates uses cases for gleaning operationalinsights. Table 4 illustrates use cases for gleaning business insights.Table 5 illustrates uses cases for gleaning compliance insights.

TABLE 3 USER USE CASE PERSONA POTENTIAL OBJECTIVE(S) INPUT OUTPUT FindLost Helpdesk 1. Help a mail user unders7tand Sender name, IndicationMessage Personnel why they (or a recipient) apparently recipient name,whether message (Helpdesk) didn't receive a message; message date wasdelivered 2. Help that user prove whether the range, and and, if not, amessage was delivered or not, or message subject. location of wherewhether message was caught by junk message was last filter; and located.3. Escalate the problem to IT if there is a system problem. Find LostMail User 1 Understand why someone Sender name, Was message Message(Self- apparently didn't receive a message I recipient name, deliveredor is it Service) sent them. message date/time, in transit 2. Discoverwhether the message message subject was actually delivered. 3. Report asystem problem to IT if necessary. Track Mail User 1. Determine whethera specific Sender name, Was message sent Anticipated person sent amessage that was expected recipient name, and delivered or is Message tobe sent. message date range it in transit 2. Determine whether themessage was actually sent, or lost in transit. Measure IT Manager 1.Track the average and maximum Source (mailbox/ Textual output ofInternal Mail message delivery times of internal mail site), targetcompliance Delivery time system. (mailbox/site) results, drill-intoCompliance the “Analyze Internal Mail Delivery Times” scenario (andaccompanying charts) to find out where your SLA was NOT met. AnalyzeMessaging 1. Show and trend the delivery times Source (mailbox/ Trendcharts of Internal Mail Administrator between internal servers. site),target overall, site to Delivery 2. Identify problem areas, or future(mailbox/site), site, or server to Times problem areas, regarding inter-filter (maximum server average/ organization mail delivery. deliverytime maximum between 2 end- delivery times points) Diagnose SlowMessaging 1. Investigate why a particular Sender, recipient, Details ofor Lost Administrator message was slow to be delivered, message date/message delivery Delivery for a 2. Determine whether there is a time,subject path and timing Particular problem with the mail systemwildcard, Filter on Message 3. Take any necessary corrective messageheader action, (including x- headers) Compare and IT Manager, 1.Regularly compare and trend the Date range, data Trend of relative TrendUsage Executive usage of different communications sources (Exchange,platform usage across systems. Lync/OCS), users over time, point-Communication 2. Perform capacity planning and (department/site) in-timechart Systems make infrastructure investment decisions. 3. Track changesin user behavior to communication usage directives. Analyze Non-Messaging and 1. Show point-in-time, and trending, Date time range,Table with Delivery Messaging of an aggregate number and type of targetdomain, site, aggregate Reports Administrator NDRs (e.g., rejected,bounced, blocked, server, sender numbers by type, (NDR's) email error).Charts for 2. Detect and troubleshoot NDR trending of NDRs issues withmy messaging system, and by type, Optimal: identify trends BIM PivotViewer to slice- and-dice the data (which senders are generating NDR's,etc . . . to help you diagnose the problem) View List of Messaging 1.Drill into the details of a message Date range, List of messagesMessages Administrator, report to see a list of messages sent ormailbox, type of and corresponding Details of a Management received by aparticular user. message (sent or details Message Stats 2. Performlight-weight auditing and received) Report forensics. 3. Furtherunderstand the message report (e.g., what is the subject of messagesgoing to a particular email domain). Ensure Messaging 1. Understand whoand how many “Network” Show me all Encrypted Administrator, encryptedmessages are being sent on (identified by encrypted Message Managementwhich network. domain, ip-subnet, messages that Usage 2. Track adherenceto corporate ip-address). didn't meet the policy on encrypted messageuse. Recipient, date criteria. Volume range. number + textual output ofmessages in violation Understand Messaging 1. See aggregate number ofmessages Filter (DSN or Aggregate Connector Administrator and specificmessage-level details being NDR, External vs. message counts Capacityand sent or received over a particular MTA, Internal), Date by connectorDistribution where MTA can be, for example, an time range, (chart),individual Exchange Server (2003 Front-End or Exchange Server messagedetails 2007 HUB Transport) or Exchange or Connector and (includingclient- HUB Receive Connector. Edge servers ip, client- 2. Understandhow busy the hostname, server- connectors are and plan for over/underip, server- saturated connectors accordingly. hostname, 3. Report onwhich external connector-id, peripheral mail servers and other event-id,systems are sending messages over recipient-address, which connectors.total-bytes, recipient-count, sender- address, message-subject),Topology Visualization Troubleshoot Messaging 1. See real-time messageactivity Exchange Server Aggregate Connector Administrator acrossconnectors. or Connector and message counts Message Flow 2. Troubleshoota message flow issue Edge servers, by connector which could be caused byeither a inbound or (chart), individual connector issue or an externalevent (e.g. outbound, domain message details DOS attack, SPAM, loopingmessage). or queue (including client- (associated with ip, client- theconnector). hostname, server- ip, server- hostname, connector-id,event-id, recipient-address, total-bytes, recipient-count,sender-address, message-subject), Topology Visualization Understand ITManager, 1. Compare usage across messaging Date time range, AggregateUser Client Messaging clients (Outlook/OWA/BlackBerry/ users, groups,numbers for users Usage Administrator, ActiveSync). devices and groups,Executives Understand usage of desktop vs. mobile Charting, and justifyROI where necessary, Trending, possible risk mobile assessment usage.Comparison 2. Determine whether people are across users and trendingtowards not using desktop groups, Pivot computers. Viewer UnderstandMessaging 1. Understand mobile (e.g., Server End-points, Overallaggregate Mobile Administrator BlackBerry, ActiveSync) usage on my Datetime range, numbers for end- Infrastructure messaging infrastructurePerform devices point, Trending Usage capacity planning for my mobilegrowth Understand Messaging 1. Find all the messages that have Date timerange, Charts, pivots of Usage of Administrator originated from specificend-user mail users, specific aggregate “Special” clients or servers,message header numbers, Messages 2. Assess risks or determine usage.information aggregate trends, (using Special messages generally haveList of messages message particular metadata in the X-Headers anddetails, headers) such as mail classification, message volumes groupedby header information. Search for Messaging 1. Find all the messagesthat have Date time range, List of messages “Special Administratorparticular message header criteria major header fields and detailsMessages” 2. Discover messages sent from non- (date/time, sender,(customer Exchange servers and flexible specific recipient(s), defined)message searches. subject, etc . . .) Alert on Messaging 1. Learn aboutabnormal message Date time range, Notification Abnormal Administratorvolumes for a user, server, connector, or server/queue, Message queue.connector, use Volume 2. Be alerted of a potential problem andinvestigate (see next scenario). Investigate Messaging 1. Investigate aperiod of abnormal Date time range, Topology, list of AbnormalAdministrator message volume (could be on a user, target filter (server,messages with Message server, connector, or a queue). queue, user,filter) details, message Volume Determine if its spam being received orvolumes grouped sent or some other problem that needs to by time beaddressed. Investigate Messaging 1. Investigate suspicious messages Datetime range List of messages Potential Spam Administrator being sent fromwithin my organization and message Messages (open relay or spoofedheader). Are details, Originating messages being sent with open relaysserver/relay from my within my organization? involved, clientOrganization 2. Stop abusive behavior by users. IPs View Internal ITManager, 1. Understand the load distribution of InfrastructureTopological Infrastructure Messaging my internal messaginginfrastructure components (user View, Charts for DistributionAdministrator components (servers, stores, defined), date trending ofconnectors). Budget for growth range messages load accordingly andoptimize perfomiance.

TABLE 4 USER USE CASE PERSONA POTENTIAL OBJECTIVE(S) INPUT OUTPUTUnderstand Manager 1. Track average and maximum List of mailboxes,Trending with User Response response times of members of my AD groups,filters charts with Times department (or another group) to (such astypes of overall or “customer” messages overtime. messages, internalindividual 2. Track compliance against my vs. external, response times,customer SLA's. recipient list of messages 3. Identify areas forimprovement domains), date (including and measure performance. rangemessage level details), Pivot Table to explore Investigate Manager, 1.Review all communications Target user, types Details of all EmployeeMessaging between one of my employees and of messages to communicationsCommunications Administrator another user or domain Respond to ainclude/exclude, by my employee complaintor review the usage of my daterange (list of messages employee for HR purposes and the ability toaccess message level details) Measure User Manager 1. Track and comparethe List of mailboxes Productivity Productivity productivity profiles(volume of or AD groups, a report (message messages sent and receivedand the selected group of volumes and response times) of my employeesand employees that response times) groups of employees, can be comparedand trending, 2. Gain insight into my employees' statistics such as timeand performance as it pertains to averages, pivot messaging usage. forexploring 3. Compare productivity from a messaging perspective of userswithin a group. Identify areas for improvement. Track After- Manager, 1.Regularly review a list of Customer Text - list of Hours Administratormessages that arrive during a certain Definition of messages (withCommunications time of day. ‘Time of Day’, details), volume 2. Bill mycustomers extra for Senders, report, ability after-hours support.recipients, export 3. Audit the usage of the messaging message datesystem after hours. range, time of day 4. Look at my messaging loadrange, message during a specific time of day. filter defining what typesmessages to include (i.e. don't include SPAM messages) Track OutlookManager Report on user Outlook Category and Recipients, Aggregateratios, Categorization Flag usage. Category and/or Charts to trend of &Flag Measure adherence to business or Flag, Date Range, overall orworkflow processes and directives. Message Filter individual (type ofmessages Outlook category to include) usage, trend individualCategories, ability to drill into individual messages, Pivot Table toexplore the categories use among groups and individuals. Track User 1.Track by status of tasks (usage Outlook number per each statusavailable). Actions 2. Track task of attaching pictures, images andattachments to a task in Outlook. 3. Track by address types and phonetypes (usage number per each address/phone type. 4. Track Untimed tasksin Outlook (e.g., where start date and due date is equal to none. 5.Determine average activities and tasks created per day. 6. Ascertain thecurrent usage of notes in Outlook. For example, can we get examples ofwhat people are putting in the notes section? 7. Track the journalcapability attached to contacts in Outlook. Is anyone using this? Can weget examples of this? Audit Manager 1. Check if a particular type ofType of message List of messages Adherence to message (TBD by thecustomer) is (i.e. class (daily/weekly Message being sent to theappropriate people as definition, e.g. reports), list of Addressing pera predefined subject string non-compliant Rules business processidentifier), users, aggregate 2. Track adherence to company recipient,volume policy recipient addressing type (BCC, CC), sender, date rangeList of messages (daily/weekly reports), list of non-compliant users,aggregate volume View Manager, 1. View the distribution of Recipients,Charts for trend Customer, Executive messages for specified recipientsand sender, date of messages Partner and external domains over a givenperiod, range, defined volume (all or Competitive 2. Understand mycommunications recipient groups top 10), Communications with Customers,Partners, and and/or external messages from (Distribution & Competitors.For example, determine domains pre-defined Trends) who is my group,group by business talking to and why. recipients or 3. Understand therelationship with domains, Pivot your customers, partners, and Viewerfor competitors. exploring the data. Audit Manager, 1. View messagedetails of Recipients, Message List and Customer, Executivecommunication with a specific sender, date Details Partner or partner,customer, or competitor range, defined Competitive 2. Audit orunderstand my recipient groups Communications company's communication ona and/or external particular partner, customer, or domains competitorevent or issue. Understand Management, 1. Understand the distribution ofPersonal Charts for trend Personal Messaging messages going to and frompersonal messaging system of messages Messaging Administrator messagingsystems such as Yahoo!, (as defined by the volume (all or System UseHotmail, and Gmail. user), recipients, top 10), 2. Measure employeeproductivity sender, date messages from and gauge use and misuse of therange, defined pre-defined corporate messaging system. recipient groupsgroup, group by 3. Identify usage trends. and/or external recipients ordomains domains, Pivot Viewer to find out top personal messagingusers/groups, etc. View Relayed Management 1. As a messaging provider,Message type Charts for Traffic understand volumes of re-routed (filterof messages trending messages. to include), Date aggregate 2. Understandhow my messaging range volume business is performing. UnderstandManager 1. View communication trends Target Users and Charts forCommunication between users and groups in my Groups, date trending ofPatterns in organization; includes multiple range, Message messages mycommunication platforms. 2. Type Filter volume, Organization Compare thenumber of Topological messages sent to a particular users, Views, Pivotdivided by TO:, CC:, BCC: View 3. Understand how my business isoperating (e.g. what “silo groups” exist, which groups are talking tomost to each other). 4. Understand how my business is adhering tocorporate directives. Understand the Management, 1. Trend and see theuse of Message Type Charts for trends Usage of IT Manager differenttypes of messages in my (user defined), of different types Differentmessaging system. Date range of messages, Types of 2. Determine theratio of internal Pivot Viewer Messages vs. external communication. 3.Get insight into specific business usage of my messaging system. AssessMobile Management 1. See what messages were stored Date range, List ofmessage Data Leakage or sent from a mobile device. inbound/outbound, andmessage Risk 2. Perform a mobile device data message type details.Charts leakage audit. (sender, recipient, for mobile etc . . . , “mobilemessage usage message” is inherent) Track Implicit IT Manager, 1. Trackthe percentage of Message subject, Distribution of Acknowledge-Management employees that have received and sender message status mentof read an important message. (received, read, Important 2. Report to HRor legal the deleted without Message progress and completion of thebeing read), with distribution of the message. the option of detailedlist of status per people Track HR Manager, 1. Track the distributionpath of a Message subject, Full message Sensitive IT Manager, sensitivemessage. sender, date time delivery path Message Management 2. Auditunauthorized distribution range, type (people & Leakage of sensitiveinformation, (FWD, etc.) endpoint) of the message forwarding anddelivery, and actions taken by users Analyze Usage Messaging 1.Understand who, and how many Recipient(s), date Count/ratio of ofEncrypted Administrator, encrypted messages are being sent rangeencrypted Message Management 2. Ensure that the correct format ismessages, being used on my classified/non- message-detail classifiednetworks on encrypted messages.

TABLE 5 USER USE CASE PERSONA POTENTIAL OBJECTIVE(S) INPUT OUTPUT TrackCAN- IT Manager, 1. Alert or report whenever external Configure reportAlert (email SPAM Management messages are sent with potentially (domainand other notification, Message false header information (for example,routing dashboard). Header From, To, Reply To or other routingspecifications) Report (sender, Compliance information that doesn'tmatch recipient, # of corporate domains or other server recipients,configurations). message 2. Ensure that my company is contents) adheringto CAN-SPAM requirements Track CAN- IT Manager, 1. Alert or reportwhenever external Configure report Alert (email SPAM Management messagesare sent without obligatory (enter “static” notification, Messageinformation (Physical postal address, search strings) dashboard),Content disclosure that message is an ad, Report (sender, Omissionsinformation on opting out of mailing recipient, list). message 2. Ensurethat my company is contents, which adhering to CAN-SPAM string(s)missing) requirements. Audit CAN- IT Manager, 1. Ensure that a 3rd partyDomains, routing Report (sender, SPAM Management contractor who'ssending marketing info, required recipient, Compliance messages on my(ensure verified strings message for 3rd Party header information andrequired contents, which Mailers content strings), string(s) missing) 2.Ensure that my company is adhering to CAN-SPAM requirements. Monitor ITManager, 1. Alert or report whenever Configure report Alert (emailOutgoing/ Management outgoing or incoming messages are (specify likelynotification, Incoming sent containing unauthorized personal stringformats) dashboard), Messages data (such as CC numbers). Report (sender,for Credit Card 2. Ensure adherence to PCI-DSS recipient, flagged #s(PCI-DSS) requirements. string, report/ allow) Monitor IT Manager, 1.Alert or report whenever Configure report Alert (email Routing ofManagement outgoing or incoming messages are (specify identitynotification, Sensitive sent containing specific corporate strings)dashboard), Information information not intended for Report (sender,distribution (Financial disclosures, recipient, flagged trade secrets,IPR). string) 2. Ensure adherence to the USAPATRIOT requirements.Monitor IT Manager, 1. Audit the messaging Report criteria, Executive/Overall Management infrastructure for the purpose of specify networkDetailed Report Messaging general risk-management and components, forrisk areas, Environment mitigation against system health complianceoverall risk to Identify Identify failures, threats, intrusions,benchmarks benchmark, Potential viruses, or other vulnerabilities thatexport Vulnerabilities may impact confidence in the integrity of thesystem. 2. Perform regular assessments of risk will assist in meetingcorporate commitments for Sarbanes-Oxley/ Gramm-Leach-Billey, Basel,etc.II. Data Loss Prevention

In various embodiments, many of the principles described above can befurther leveraged to facilitate data loss prevention (DLP). In a typicalembodiment, a cross-platform DLP system as described herein enablesutilization of cross-platform DLP policies. For purposes of this patentapplication, a DLP policy refers to a standard or guideline designed, atleast in part, to prevent, detect, or mitigate data loss. By way ofexample, DLP policies can restrict a number or size of communications,participants in communications, contents of communications, particularcommunication patterns, etc.

For purposes of this patent application, a cross-platform DLP policyrefers to a DLP policy that can be enforced, monitored, and/or appliedacross multiple heterogeneous communications platforms. In many cases,the heterogeneous communications platforms may provide a certain degreeof native DLP functionality. In other cases, some or all of theheterogeneous platforms may provide no native DLP functionality. To theextent native DLP functionality is provided, the heterogeneouscommunications platforms generally use an assortment of non-standarddata structures and formats to contain a DLP policy.

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of an implementation of a system 1100for performing DLP. The system 1100 includes the BIM system 130, theinternal data sources 120, the intranet 104, the network 106, and theexternal data sources 122. In a typical embodiment, the BIM system 130,the internal data sources 120, the intranet 104, the network 106, andthe external data sources 122 operate as described above with respect toFIGS. 1-2. The system 1100 additionally includes a cross-platform DLPsystem 1146.

In general, each of the internal data sources 120 and each of theexternal data sources 122 can be considered a distinct communicationsplatform that is internal and external, respectively. The cross-platformDLP system 1146 communicates with the internal data sources 120 over theintranet 104 and with the external data sources 122 over the network106. In certain embodiments, the cross-platform DLP system 1146 isoperable to interact with the BIM system 130 over either the intranet104 or the network 106 as illustrated. In certain other embodiments, thecross-platform DLP system 1146 can be contained within the BIM system130 such that no communication over the intranet 104 or the network 106needs to occur. In general, the cross-platform DLP system 1146collaborates with the BIM system 130, the internal data sources 120, andthe external data sources 122 to implement cross-platform DLP policies.An example of the cross-platform DLP system 1146 will be described ingreater detail with respect to FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of an implementation of thecross-platform DLP system 1146. The cross-platform DLP system 1146includes a DLP detection engine 1248 and a DLP management console 1260.The DLP detection engine 1248 typically performs operations that createand/or activate cross-platform DLP policies. The DLP detection engine1248 can also monitor communications to identify violations of thosecross-platform DLP policies. In a typical embodiments, the DLPmanagement console 1260 performs operations that report and/or enforcecross-platform DLP policies responsive, for example, to violationsdetected by the DLP detection engine 1248.

As part of performing their respective functionality, the DLP detectionengine 1248 and the DLP management console 1260 are operable tocommunicate with communications platforms 1276. The communicationsplatforms 1276, in general, are representative of the internal datasources 120 and the external data sources 122 as illustrated in FIG. 11.For ease of illustration and description, the internal data sources 120and the external data sources 122 are shown collectively as thecommunications platforms 1276.

In the illustrated embodiment, the communications platforms 1276 includean application programming interface (API) A 1274 a, an API B 1274 b,and an API C 1274 c (collectively, APIs 1274). The APIs 1274 may each beconsidered a logical encapsulation of functions and operations providedby a distinct communications platform of the communications platforms1276. In many cases, it may be that such functions and operations arenot exposed by each of the communications platforms 1276 via a commonAPI but rather via a plurality of native APIs and/or access interfaces.It should be appreciated that some or all of the communicationsplatforms may not provide any API. Likewise, although the APIs 1274 areshown for illustrative purposes, it should be appreciated that thecommunications platforms 1276 can include any number of APIs and anynumber of communications platforms.

Each of the APIs 1274 provides an interface to native DLP supportprovided by a given communications platform of the communicationsplatforms 1276. Examples of native DLP support that can be provided bythe given communications platform include specifying a native DLP policyin a structure and format understood by that communications platform,activating a native DLP policy, implementing enforcement actions allowedby that communications platform (e.g., placing restrictions on a user orgroup of users), and/or the like. It should be appreciated that the APIs1274 may not provide homogenous functionality. For example, the API A1274 a might permit certain enforcement actions but might not includeany functionality for specifying and/or activating native DLP policies.Continuing this example, the API B 1274 b might include all suchfunctionality. By way of further example, different APIs of the APIs1274 may enable different enforcement actions and/or specification orselection of different types of native DLP policies.

In a typical embodiment, the cross-platform DLP system 1146 enables acommon interface into the APIs 1274 via a platform adaptor A 1272 a, aplatform adaptor B 1272 b, and a platform adaptor C 1272 c(collectively, platform adaptors 1272). In similar fashion to the APIs1274, the number of platform adaptors 1272 is illustrative in nature.Each of the platform adaptors 1272 typically maps a standard set offunctionality to corresponding sets of calls to the APIs 1274. In thatway, the platform adaptors 1272 can be collectively considered astandard API that is operable to be called, for example, by componentsof the DLP detection engine 1248 and the DLP management console 1260.The standard API of the platform adaptors 1272 can include, for example,functions that specify a native DLP policy on a given communicationsplatform, functions that activate a native DLP policy, functions thatimplement specific enforcement actions, etc. By way of example, theplatform adaptor A 1272 a can map each call of the standard API to acorresponding API call on the API A 1274 a to the extent such acorresponding API call exists. The platform adaptor A 1272 a caninclude, for example, a capabilities call that results in allcapabilities of the API A 1274 a being returned. The capabilities caninclude, for example, features of the standard API that the API A 1274 asupports. The platform adaptor B 1272 b and the platform adaptor C 1272c can be similarly configured relative to the API B 1274 b and the API C1274 c, respectively.

In the illustrated embodiment, the DLP detection engine 1248 includes anative DLP detector 1250, a policy abstraction module 1252, a custom DLPdetector 1254, a DLP risk profiler 1256, and a DLP context module 1258.The policy abstraction module 1252 provides an interface for anappropriate user such as, for example, an administrator, to createand/or activate cross-platform DLP policies. The policy abstractionmodule 1252 typically creates the cross-platform DLP policies in astandardized policy format. The standardized policy format can generallybe any format for specifying rules and/or Boolean conditions. In somecases, the standardized policy format may correspond to a formatnatively supported by one or more of the communications platforms 1276.In a typical embodiment, how the cross-platform DLP policies areactivated on the communications platforms 1276 can depend on, amongother things, an extent to which each of the communications platforms1276 provides DLP support, administrator preference, etc.

In many cases, some or all of the communications platforms 1276 mayprovide at least some native DLP support. In these cases, if it isdesired to activate a given cross-platform DLP policy natively on thecommunications platforms 1276, the policy abstraction module 1252 canprovide the given cross-platform DLP policy in a corresponding call tothe platform adaptors 1272. In a typical embodiment, the platformadaptors 1272 are operable to receive the given cross-platform DLPpolicy in the standardized policy format and re-specify it in arespective native format expected by each of the communicationsplatforms 1276, for example, by translating the given cross-platform DLPpolicy from the standardized policy format to the respective nativeformat. In some cases, some of the communications platforms 1276 mayhave a pre-existing native DLP policy that is deemed equivalent to agiven cross-platform DLP policy. In these cases, no new native DLPpolicy usually needs to be specified. Rather, a corresponding platformadaptor of the platform adaptors 1272 can maintain a mapping to theequivalent native DLP policy. Once the given cross-platform DLP policyhas been created and/or natively activated, as appropriate, the nativeDLP detector 1250 can perform DLP detection. Operation of the native DLPdetector 1250 will be described in greater detail below.

As mentioned above, some or all of the communications platforms 1276 mayeither provide no DLP support or provide DLP support that isinsufficient in some respect for natively activating the givencross-platform DLP policy. In addition, even if sufficient DLP supportis provided by the communications platforms 1276, it may otherwise bedesirable by the administrator for the cross-platform DLP system 1146 tocentrally activate the given cross-platform DLP policy for a particularset of communications platforms of the communications platforms 1276.Central activation typically means that, as to the particular set ofcommunications platforms, violation detection is performed centrally bythe cross-platform DLP system 1146 without relying on native DLPfunctionality, if any, of the particular set of communicationsplatforms. Under these circumstances, the policy abstraction module 1252can provide the given cross-platform DLP policy to the custom DLPdetector 1254 for storage and implementation. The custom DLP detector1254 will be described in greater detail below.

In a typical embodiment, the policy abstraction module 1252 centrallymaintains all cross-platform DLP policies, for example, in a database,persistent file-based storage, and/or the like. In some cases, allcross-platform DLP policies can be maintained on the BIM system 130, forexample, in one or more of the databases 232. In addition, the policyabstraction module 1252 generally tracks how each cross-platform DLPpolicy is activated on each of the communications platforms 1276. Asdescribed above, cross-platform DLP policies can be activated nativelyon the communications platforms 1276, centrally activated by thecross-platform DLP system 1146, and/or a combination thereof. The mannerof activation can be maintained by the policy abstraction module 1252 aspart of its tracking functionality.

The native DLP detector 1250 typically manages violation detection fornative activations of cross-platform DLP policies. In a typicalembodiment, the native DLP detector 1250 can import violations of nativeDLP policies, for example, from logs that are generated by suchplatforms. In some cases, the logs can be accessed via, for example, theplatform adaptors 1272 and the APIs 1274. In other cases, it may bepossible to access such logs without the platform adaptors 1272 and/orthe APIs 1274 if, for example, a network storage location of the logs isknown.

The custom DLP detector 1254 typically manages violation detection forcentral activations of cross-platform DLP policies. In a typicalembodiment, the custom DLP detector 1254 centrally performs violationdetection on communications centrally collected and stored by the BIMsystem 130 as described above. In this fashion, with respect to thecentral activations, the cross-platform DLP policy can be applied andevaluated against such communications for purposes of identifyingviolations.

The DLP risk profiler 1256 is operable to identify quasi-violations,assess risk of cross-platform DLP policies being violated and/orquasi-violated, and/or the like. A quasi-violation, as used herein,refers to user activity or behavior that does not literally violate agiven policy but that is measurably and configurably close to doing so.An actual violation, as used herein, refers to user activity or behaviorthat literally violates a given policy. For purposes of this disclosure,the term violation can encompass both actual violations andquasi-violations. What constitutes measurably close can be empiricallydefined, for example, via statistical, mathematical, and/or rule-basedmethods.

For instance, a particular cross-platform DLP policy could prohibitsending files (e.g., email attachments) that are larger than a maximumsize (e.g., ten megabytes). According to this example, measurably closecould be empirically defined as being within a certain percentage of themaximum size (e.g., five percent), being within a certain numeric rangerelative to the maximum size (e.g., greater than nine megabytes but lessthan ten megabytes), etc. Measurably close could be further defined toinclude a repetition factor. For example, quasi-violations could belimited to cases where a given user has met the above-describedempirical definition at least a specified number of times (e.g., five)within a specified window of time (e.g., one hour, one day, one week,etc.). Quasi-violations could also be limited to such cases where anumber of times that the user has sent such files is within a certainnumber of standard deviations of an expected value for the specifiedwindow of time. It should be appreciated that similar principles couldbe applied to automatically identify quasi-violations for other types ofcross-platform DLP policies that specify, for example, values and/orthresholds.

In various embodiments, the DLP risk profiler 1256 can also trigger aquasi-violation based on, for example, an assessment that across-platform DLP policy is in imminent risk of being violated. Forexample, certain DLP policies may relate to values that tend to increaseover time or that exhibit a pattern (e.g., linear or exponential). Forexample, a given policy could limit each user to a certain quantity ofinstant messages per day (e.g., 100). If it appears that a particularuser is projected to reach the certain quantity (e.g., based on a lineartrend) or is within a defined range of the certain quantity (e.g.,ninety-five instant messages before 2:00 pm local time), aquasi-violation could be triggered. A quasi-violation could also betriggered if, for example, a characteristic precursor to an actualviolation has been detected. For example, a particular cross-platformDLP policy could specify that communications to customer A cannot occurvia email. In that case, a characteristic precursor to an actualviolation could be the appearance in a user's email contacts of an emailaddress specifying Customer A's domain (e.g., example.com).

In various embodiments, the DLP risk profiler 1256 can also be utilizedfor on-demand risk assessment. For example, designated users (asdescribed further below), administrators, and/or the like can use theDLP risk profiler 1256 to perform a risk query. In various embodiments,the risk query can be equivalent to a cross-platform DLP policy. Forexample, the risk query can be embody a prospective cross-platform DLPpolicy. An administrator, for example, could use the risk query tosearch communications collected by the BIM system 130 to determine abusiness impact of implementing the cross-platform DLP policy. The riskquery is typically tailored to identify information related to thebusiness impact. After execution of the risk query, the information isreturned to the administrator. Based on the information returned by therisk query, the administrator could determine, inter alia, a volume ofusers exhibiting behaviors prohibited by the prospective cross-platformDLP policy, an overall number of past communications within a certainperiod of time that would have been implicated by the prospectivecross-platform DLP policy, which departments or organizational unitswould be most impacted by the prospective cross-platform DLP policy,etc.

The DLP context module 1258 is operable to dynamically acquire contextinformation responsive, for example, to a detected violation. In variousembodiments, what constitutes context information for a violation of agiven cross-platform DLP policy can be pre-defined as a query package asdescribed above. Responsive to a violation of the given cross-platformDLP policy, the query package can be executed to yield the contextinformation. An example of defining and executing a query package willbe described in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 14 and 16. Also, insome embodiments, all or part of what constitutes context informationcan be specified, for example, by designated users upon receipt of analert. In these embodiments, the designated users can request particulardata points that are of interest given the contents of the alert. Itshould be appreciated that the context information can be acquired fromany of the communications platforms 1276. For example, if a user were toviolate the cross-platform DLP policy on an email platform, the contextinformation could include information related to the user'scontemporaneous communications on each of an instant-messaging platform,an enterprise social-networking platform, and/or any of thecommunications platforms 1276.

The DLP management console 1260 includes a user permission manager 1262,a reporting module 1264, and a credentials module 1270. In a typicalembodiment, the user permission manager 1262 maintains an access profilefor each user of the cross-platform DLP system 1146. The access profilecan be created based on, for example, directory information (e.g.,Active Directory). In some embodiments, the access profile can becreated by an administrator.

The access profile typically specifies a scope of violations that theuser is authorized to view and/or for which the user should receivealerts or reports (e.g., all staff, all employees beneath the user in anemployee hierarchy, etc.). The access profile also typically specifiesenforcement actions that the user is allowed to take if, for example,DLP violations have occurred. In some cases, the user's ability to takethe enforcement action may be conditioned on violation(s) havingoccurred. In other cases, some or all of the enforcement actions may beavailable to the user unconditionally. For purposes of this disclosure,a given user may be considered a designated user with respect to thosecross-platform DLP policies for which the given user is authorized toview violations, receive reports or alerts on violations, and/or takeenforcement actions.

The reporting module 1264 provides an interface to display to designatedusers information pertaining to violations of cross-platform DLPpolicies and any context information. In various embodiments, thereporting module 1264 is operable to initiate alerts or present reportsusing, for example, any of the communications platforms 1276. Thereports and/or alerts can be presented using, for example, SMS textmessage, email, instant message, a dashboard interface, social mediamessages, web pages, etc. The reporting module 1264 can also providevia, for example, a dashboard interface, any enforcement actions thateach designated user is authorized to take. The enforcement actions caninclude, for example, blocking particular domains (e.g., example.com),suspending a user account on all or selected ones of the communicationsplatforms 1276, blocking sending communications, blocking receivingcommunications, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the enforcementactions, can include a “kill” option that suspends a user or group ofusers' access to all of the communications platforms 1276.

The credentials module 1270 typically stores administrative credentialsfor accessing each of the communications platforms 1276 via, forexample, the APIs 1274. In various embodiments, the credentials module1270 enables designated users to execute administrative actions (e.g.,enforcement actions) that the designated users would ordinarily lackpermission to perform, thereby saving time and resources ofadministrators. The user permission manager 1262 can determine, viaaccess profiles, enforcement actions that the designated users areauthorized to perform. Responsive to selections by the designated users,the credentials module 1270 can execute those enforcement actions on thecommunications platforms 1276 using the stored administrativecredentials.

FIG. 13 presents a flowchart of an example of a process 1300 forcross-platform DLP implementation. The process 1300 can be implementedby any system that can access data, evaluate data, and/or interact withusers. For example, the process 1300, in whole or in part, can beimplemented by one or more of the BIM system 130, the DLP detectionengine 1248, the DLP management console 1260, and/or components thereof.Although any number of systems, in whole or in part, can implement theprocess 1300, to simplify discussion, the process 1300 will be describedin relation to specific systems or subsystems of the system 1100 of FIG.11 and/or the cross-platform DLP system 1146. For illustrative purposes,the process 1300 will be described with respect to a singlecross-platform DLP policy. However, it should be appreciated that theprocess 1300 can be repeated relative to numerous cross-platform DLPpolicies that will be maintained by the cross-platform DLP system 1146.

At block 1302, the DLP detection engine 1248 activates a cross-platformDLP policy on a set of communications platforms of the communicationsplatforms 1276 for enforcement against a set of users (e.g., a user orgroup of users). In typical embodiment, the block 1302 includes thepolicy abstraction module 1252 interacting with an administrator toselect and/or create the cross-platform DLP policy, select the set ofusers, and choose the set of communications platforms. In some cases,the set of communications platforms may include only one of thecommunications platforms 1276. As described above, relative to the setof communications platforms, the cross-platform DLP policy can becentrally activated, natively activated, or a combination thereof. Inthe case of native activation, the cross-platform DLP policy can includeinitiating a native DLP policy on one or more of the set ofcommunications platforms. An example of how the cross-platform DLPpolicy can be created will be described with respect to FIG. 14.

At block 1304, the DLP detection engine 1248 monitors communications ofthe set of users on the set of communications platforms for violationsof the cross-platform DLP policy. In various embodiments, the block 1304can include monitoring for actual violations, quasi-violations, or both.In a typical embodiment, as part of the block 1304, the native DLPdetector 1250 tracks violations of any native activations of thecross-platform DLP policy. The native activations can include, forexample, native DLP policies that are a translated form of or are deemedequivalent to the cross-platform DLP policy. In a typical embodiment,the custom DLP detector 1254 centrally detects violations of any centralactivations of the cross-platform DLP policy. The central detectiontypically includes evaluating, against the cross-platform DLP policy,communications collected by the BIM system 130 that correspond to thecentral activations. In addition, the block 1304 can also include theDLP risk profiler 1256 monitoring for quasi-violations of thecross-platform DLP policy as described above.

At decision block 1306, the DLP detection engine 1248 determines whethera violation has been detected, for example, by the native DLP detector1250, the custom DLP detector 1254, and/or the DLP risk profiler 1256.Responsive to a detected violation, the process 1300 proceeds to block1308. Otherwise, the process 1300 returns to the block 1304 and proceedsas described above. At the block 1308, the DLP context module 1258dynamically acquires context information for the detected violation. Anexample of how context information can be specified will be describedwith respect to FIG. 14. An example of dynamically acquiring contextinformation will be described with respect to FIG. 15.

At block 1310, the DLP management console 1260 publishes violationinformation to at least one designated user. The at least one designateduser can include, for example, a manager of a user who initiated theviolation. The violation information can include, for example,information associated with the detected violation, the contextinformation, and/or the like. The information associated with thedetected violation can include, for example, user-identificationinformation (e.g., name, user name, ID, etc.), violation type (e.g.,identification of the particular violation if multiple violation typesare allowed by the cross-platform DLP policy), a time of the violation,a communication that constituted the violation, a communicationidentifier for the communication that constituted the violation, and/orother information that is readily accessible at a time of violationdetection. In a typical embodiment, the block 1310 results in theviolation information being made accessible to the at least onedesignated user. In many cases, the block 1310 may include providing theat least one designated user with options for selecting one or moreenforcement actions as a result of the detected violation. An example ofpublishing violation information will be described with respect to FIG.16.

FIG. 14 presents a flowchart of an example of a process 1400 forcreating a cross-platform DLP policy. The process 1400 can beimplemented by any system that can access data, evaluate data, and/orinteract with users. For example, the process 1400, in whole or in part,can be implemented by one or more of the BIM system 130, the DLPdetection engine 1248, the DLP management console 1260, and/orcomponents thereof. Although any number of systems, in whole or in part,can implement the process 1400, to simplify discussion, the process 1400will be described in relation to specific systems or subsystems of thesystem 1100 of FIG. 11 and/or the cross-platform DLP system 1146. Itvarious embodiments, the process 1400 can be performed as part of theblock 1302 of FIG. 13.

At block 1402, the policy abstraction module 1252 defines across-platform DLP policy. The block 1402 can include the policyabstraction module 1252 interacting with an administrator to establish,for example, a name and/or unique identifier for the cross-platform DLPpolicy. The block 1402 can include, for example, empirically defininghow the cross-platform DLP policy can be violated responsive to inputfrom the administrator. The empirical definition can include definingboth actual violations and quasi-violations. In some embodiments,definitions of quasi-violations can be automatically derived from thedefinitions of actual violations (e.g., as percentages, ranges, standarddeviations relative to expected values, etc.). In some embodiments, thecross-platform DLP policy can be defined in terms of a native DLP policyof a particular communications platform of the communications platforms1276. In these embodiments, the administrator can be permitted toidentify or provide the native DLP policy, which policy the policyabstraction module 1252 can then import and re-specify in a standardizedformat (e.g., by translation).

At block 1404, the policy abstraction module 1252 identifies one or morecontextual parameters. The contextual parameters generally representvariable, violation-specification information that will be used as abasis for generating context information. The contextual parameters caninclude, for example, user-identification information (e.g., name, username, ID, etc.), violation type (e.g., identification of the particularviolation if multiple violation types are allowed by the cross-platformDLP policy), a time of the violation, a communication that constitutedthe violation, a communication identifier for the communication thatconstituted the violation, and/or other information that is readilyaccessible at a time of violation detection.

At block 1406, the policy abstraction module 1252 generates a querypackage that can be used to dynamically generate context informationresponsive to a detected violation. The query package can be specified,for example, as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-12. In general,the query package is tailored to request, in terms of the contextualparameters, context information for violations of the cross-platform DLPpolicy. The requested context information can include, for example,prior violations by a violating user within a certain period of time,communications by or to the violating user within a certain period oftime before and/or after the violation (e.g., including communicationson any of the communications platforms 1276), the violating user'scommunication patterns (e.g., who the violating user communicates withmost, the violating user's volume of communications, top topicsdiscussed in communications, etc.), and/or the like. The requestedcontext information can also include aggregated context information suchas, for example, a number of violations of the cross-platform DLPplatform across a given organization or enterprise, a number ofviolations within the violating user's department or organization unit,most frequently taken enforcement actions by other managers responsiveto violations of the cross-platform DLP policy, and/or the like.

At block 1408, the policy abstraction module 1252 configures a reportingworkflow for violations of the cross-platform DLP policy. Theconfiguring can include, for example, defining one or more designatedusers who can view violations, receive alerts or reports of violations,and/or take enforcement actions responsive to violations. In some cases,the one or more designated users may be defined generally using, forexample, directory services (e.g., Active Directory). For example, theone or more designated users could include each direct manager of aviolating user. In other cases, the one or more designated users can bedefined as specific users for each user that is to be covered by thepolicy (e.g., a manually designated user for each user or group usersimpacted by the cross-platform DLP policy). The configuration at theblock 1408 can also include, for example, establishing one or moreenforcement actions that can be taken by the one or more designatedusers. In various embodiments, an access profile for each of thedesignated users can be used to establish which enforcement actions eachdesignated user is permitted to take.

At block 1410, the policy abstraction module stores the cross-platformDLP policy. The storage can include, for example, storage of the querypackage as linked to the cross-platform DLP policy. In variousembodiments, the storage at the block 1410 can be in memory accessibleto the policy abstraction module 1252, in the databases 232 of FIG. 11,and/or the like.

FIG. 15 presents a flowchart of an example of a process 1500 fordynamically acquiring context information responsive to a detectedviolation of a cross-platform DLP policy. The detected violation mayhave been detected, for example, via the native DLP detector 1250, thecustom DLP detector 1254, and/or the DLP risk profiler 1256. The process1500 can be implemented by any system that can access data, evaluatedata, and/or interact with users. For example, the process 1500, inwhole or in part, can be implemented by one or more of the BIM system130, the DLP detection engine 1248, the DLP management console 1260,and/or components thereof. Although any number of systems, in whole orin part, can implement the process 1500, to simplify discussion, theprocess 1500 will be described in relation to specific systems orsubsystems of the system 1100 of FIG. 11 and/or the cross-platform DLPsystem 1146. It various embodiments, the process 1500 can be performedas part of the block 1308 of FIG. 13.

At block 1502, the DLP context module 1258 retrieves a query packagethat is linked to the cross-platform DLP policy. In a typicalembodiment, the query package may have been generated at the block 1406of FIG. 14. At block 1504, the DLP context module 1258 accesses valuesof contextual parameters that are needed for the query package. Thevalues can typically be obtained from information associated with thedetected violation. The information associated with the detectedviolation is typically obtained by the native DLP detector 1250, thecustom DLP detector 1254, and/or the DLP risk profiler 1256, asappropriate. At block 1506, the DLP context module 1258 executes thequery package, for example, on the BIM system 130. At block 1508, theDLP context module 1258 receives the context information responsive tothe execution of the query package.

FIG. 16 presents a flowchart of an example of a process 1600 forpublishing violation information to one or more designated usersresponsive, for example, to a detected violation. The detected violationmay have been detected, for example, via the native DLP detector 1250,the custom DLP detector 1254, and/or the DLP risk profiler 1256. Theprocess 1600 can be implemented by any system that can access data,evaluate data, and/or interact with users. For example, the process1600, in whole or in part, can be implemented by one or more of the BIMsystem 130, the DLP detection engine 1248, the DLP management console1260, and/or components thereof. Although any number of systems, inwhole or in part, can implement the process 1600, to simplifydiscussion, the process 1600 will be described in relation to specificsystems or subsystems of the system 1100 of FIG. 11 and/or thecross-platform DLP system 1146. It various embodiments, the process 1600can be performed as part of the block 1310 of FIG. 13.

At block 1602, the user permission manager 1262 determines whichenforcement actions that each designated user has permission to perform.In a typical embodiment, the determination can be made by ascertainingwhich enforcement actions of a set of potential enforcement actions areallowed by each designated user's access profile. At block 1604, thereporting module 1264 provides an interface for each designated user toselect the determined enforcement actions. The interface can be, forexample, a web interface, an interface on one of the communicationsplatforms 1276, and/or the like. At decision block 1606, the reportingmodule 1264 determines whether a designated user has selected one of thedetermined enforcement actions. If not, the process 1600 returns to theblock 1604 and proceeds as described above. If it is determined at thedecision 1606 that the designated user has selected one of thedetermined enforcement actions, the process 1600 proceeds to block 1608.In a typical embodiment, the selected enforcement action can be madewith respect to one or more communications platforms of thecommunications platforms 1276. At block 1608, the credentials module1270 causes the selected enforcement action to be executed withadministrator privileges on each of the one or more communicationsplatforms. At block 1610, the executed enforcement action is recorded,for example, in one or more of the databases 232. The block 1610 caninclude recording, for example, the executed enforcement, informationassociated with the detected violation, any context information, and/orthe like.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of an access profile 1776. In thedepicted embodiment, the access profile grants a “Manager X” a right toperform enforcement actions of “block sending,” “block receiving,”“suspend account,” and “report abuse.” As illustrated, the accessprofile 1776 grants the above-mentioned enforcement actions for “allhis/her staff,” which, in a typical embodiment, can be determined using,for example, directory services (e.g., Active Directory). In some cases,the access profile 1776 can include other enforcement actions such as,for example, “allow with warning.” In these embodiments, any usersimpacted by the enforcement actions can be presented a warning that mustbe explicitly acknowledged and disregarded before the cross-platform DLPpolicy can be violated in the future.

Table 6 below provides examples of laws and standards from which, invarious embodiments, cross-platform DLP standards can be derived andimplemented.

TABLE 6 USE CASE DESCRIPTION APPLIES TO DLP OPPORTUNITY Sarbanes-Enacted in the US in 2002. It US/Global Provide monitoring andassessment for Oxley (Sarbox) targets any company that is Publiclytraded messaging security, virus protection, publicly traded on ancompanies intrusion detection, vulnerability American stock exchange.Its management, and user authentication. purpose is to ensure theProvide audit trails for error logs, system accuracy of the company'shealth, and asset management (?). financial information and theMonitoring of business-critical messaging/ reliability of the systemsthat collaboration software helps provide generate it. The challenge toincreased confidence in the integrity of the IT is to manage a secureand network infrastructure. controlled infrastructure for data,processes, and historical information. While this act applies to largeor established enterprises, it is high profile around the world has hada significant impact as to how all businesses conduct themselves.Gramm-Leach- Gramm-Leach-Billey (GLBA) US Finance 24 × 7 detection ofsecurity breaches and Billey (GLBA) is a US act from 1999. It sector,Global vulnerabilities and integrating with industry applies to anyAmerican finance standards such as Microsoft Baseline financialinstitution, large and Security Analyzer (MBSA) or other small. Itspurpose is to ensure enterprise-class security platforms. the integrityof financial and Dashboards, alerts and notifications help client data.The role of IT is to ensure communications availability, Patch implementsystems for assessment and management (?). security and authorizedaccess, Infrastructure reports are integral for and to build safeguardsagainst capacity and disaster planning. threats and hazards. Globally,similar requirements are found in The New Capital Accord (Basel II)1998/2005. USA USAPATRIOT Act of 2001 US Any Identify potentialvulnerabilities to PATRIOT Act applies to all US-based company/messaging access points. Identify (USA companies and attempts toindividual messaging to unauthorized destinations. PATRIOT) prevent thesupport and Detect unauthorized access. Track the flow financing ofterrorists. It also of sensitive information. aims to preventintellectual property/trade secrets from being sent to certaininternational locations. Federal Food Federal Food & Drug 21- USHealthcare Help managers to ensure secure & Drug 21- CFR-11(21-CFR-11)is a US sector environments and authenticated users. CFR-11(21- lawapplies to any company Infrastructure reports give CFR-11 that isregulated by the Food overall messaging network health checks to andDrug Administration ensure the availability of data. (FDA). Its goal isto ensure the security, integrity, and availability of information. Thisis of particular concern to the health care industry that relies on theaccuracy of patient/product information. Payment Card Payment CardIndustry Data Any global Monitor 24 × 7 any intrusion, or Industry DataSecurity Standard (PCI-DSS) company unauthorized access, as well assystem Security was created in 2004 by the accepting failures that couldimpact prompt response. Standard (PCI- major credit card companies tocredit card Ensure compliance of communications- DSS) ensure that theirmerchants payments based transactions. adhered to certain networkstandards to protect against vulnerabilities, and to protect cardholdersfrom fraud. The standard applies to any CC- processing merchant, and has5 general goals: Build and maintain a secure network; Protecttransaction data; Guard against vulnerabilities; Implement strong AccessControl measures; and Regularly monitor and test networks. Global Creditcard merchants Notification The purpose of the act is to Any US/ Detect,investigate, and notify unauthorized of Risk to ensure that any agencynotifies European access, Remote management of Personal Data authoritiesif any personal company environments allow Act information has beenacquired for rapid action against intrusion. Report (NORPDA - by anunauthorized source. regular security audits, health checks. US 2003)The impact to IT is to improve security and reporting systems. Similarlaws in Europe include the European Data Protection Directive of 1995,among others. Health This act applies to all US- Any company Ensuresecurity and availability of Information based health care providers.Its handling messaging systems, as well as protecting Portability &purpose is to improve health personal them from unauthorized use.Accountability care operations and to ensure information & Act (HIPAA)patient record privacy. The US Healthcare from 1996 impact to IT is toimprove sector security and interoperability of information systems, aswell as improve reporting systems. Related to this is the PersonalInformation Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA - Canada2000). Applying to all Canadian companies and agencies, it limits theuse and disclosure of personal information obtained during the course ofdoing business The onus on management is to ensure proper use ofpersonal information. {There is also a significant EURO privacy act)CAN-SPAM This act establishes email US companies Ensure Can-Spam lawsare met. Controlling the standards for US-based Assault of companies.The act protects Non-Solicited users against false or Pornographymisleading message headers, And Marketing and deceptive subject lines.Act from 2003 Senders must identify outgoing mail as a commercial (ad)message. Sender identification must be accurate and traceable (nospoof). Mail cannot be sent using harvested mail addresses. The messagemust contain details about where the message is originating from, aswell as information on how the recipient can “unsubscribe” to futuremessages. Opt-out requests from recipients must be processed within 10business days. No fees can be charged to unsubscribe a recipient. SAS-70General compliance guidelines US/global Ensure SAS-70 compliance.Compliance have been compiled by the companies requirements auditingsector and published that can be as SAS-70. The directive deliveredhighlights 7 areas that apply to efficiently and IT Information andSystems effectively Management.

Although various embodiments of the method and apparatus of the presentinvention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings anddescribed in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understoodthat the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but iscapable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutionswithout departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising, for each cross-platform dataloss prevention (DLP) policy of at least one cross-platform DLP policy:on a computer system comprising at least one server computer, activatingthe crossplatform DLP policy for enforcement against a plurality ofusers on each of a plurality of heterogeneous communications platforms;wherein the activating comprises creating the cross-platform DLP policy,the creating comprising: defining one or more designated users for areporting workflow; establishing one or more enforcement actions thatcan be taken by the one or more designated users; and defining how thecross-platform DLP policy can be quasi-violated; the computer systemmonitoring communications of the plurality of users on each of theplurality of heterogeneous communications platforms for violations ofthe cross-platform DLP policy; responsive to a detected violation of thecross-platform DLP policy by at least one user on at least onecommunications platform, the computer system dynamically acquiringcontext information for the detected violation using informationassociated with the detected violation; and the computer systempublishing violation information to the one or more designated users,the violation information comprising at least a portion of theinformation associated with the detected violation and at least aportion of the context information.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe creating the cross-platform DLP policy comprises: empiricallydefining how the cross-platform DLP policy can be violated; identifyingone or more contextual parameters for the context information;generating a query package comprising the one or more contextualparameters; and storing the cross-platform DLP policy, the storingcomprising storing the query package as linked to the cross-platform DLPpolicy.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the empirically definingcomprises importing a native policy from a communications platform; andtranslating the native policy into a standardized policy format.
 4. Themethod of claim 2, wherein: the activating comprises initiating a nativeDLP policy of one or more of the plurality of heterogeneouscommunications platforms; and the monitoring comprises tracking nativeviolations of the native DLP policy.
 5. The method of claim 2, whereinthe monitoring comprises evaluating collected communications from atleast a portion of the plurality of heterogeneous communicationsplatforms.
 6. The method of claim 2, wherein the dynamically acquiringcomprises: retrieving the query package; accessing, from the informationassociated with the violation, values of the one or more contextualparameters; executing the query package using the accessed values; andreceiving the context information responsive to the executing.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the publishing comprises reporting theviolation information according to the reporting workflow.
 8. The methodof claim 7, wherein the publishing comprises, for each designated userof the one or more designated users: determining which enforcementactions of the one or more enforcement actions that the designated userhas permission to perform; and providing an interface for the one ormore designated users to select the determined enforcement actions. 9.The method of claim 8, comprising, responsive to selection of at leastone enforcement action of the determined enforcement actions, executingthe at least one enforcement action with administrator privileges on atleast one of the plurality of heterogeneous communications platforms.10. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one cross-platform DLPpolicy comprises a plurality of cross-platform DLP policies.
 11. Themethod claim 1, wherein the context information comprises informationabout a communication pattern of a user who initiated the detectedviolation.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the context informationcomprises information about communications on multiple communicationsplatforms of the plurality of heterogeneous communications platforms.13. The method of claim 1, wherein the information associated with thedetected violation comprises information selected from the groupconsisting of: a violation type, a communication identifier, and a username.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the context informationcomprises information selected from the group consisting of: priorviolations by the at least one user, communications by the at least oneuser within a certain period of time, and a communication pattern of theat least one user.
 15. The method of claim 1, comprising: performing arisk query comprising a prospective cross-platform DLP policy;identifying information related to an impact of implementing thecross-platform DLP policy; and returning the information to a requestor.16. An information handling system comprising a computer processor andmemory, wherein the computer processor and memory in combination areoperable to implement a method comprising, for each cross-platform dataloss prevention (DLP) policy of at least one crossplatform DLP policy:activating the cross-platform DLP policy for enforcement against aplurality of users on each of a plurality of heterogeneouscommunications platforms; wherein the activating comprises creating thecross-platform DLP policy, the creating comprising: defining one or moredesignated users for a reporting workflow; establishing one or moreenforcement actions that can be taken by the one or more designatedusers; and defining how the cross-platform DLP policy can bequasi-violated; monitoring communications of the plurality of users oneach of the plurality of heterogeneous communications platforms forviolations of the cross-platform DLP policy; responsive to a detectedviolation of the cross-platform DLP policy by at least one user on atleast one communications platform, dynamically acquiring contextinformation for the detected violation using information associated withthe detected violation; and publishing violation information to the oneor more designated users, the violation information comprising at leasta portion of the information associated with the detected violation andat least a portion of the context information.
 17. The informationhandling system of claim 16, wherein the activating comprises creatingthe cross-platform DLP policy, the creating comprising: empiricallydefining how the cross-platform DLP policy can be violated; identifyingone or more contextual parameters for the context information;generating a query package comprising the one or more contextualparameters; and storing the cross-platform DLP policy, the storingcomprising storing the query package as linked to the cross-platform DLPpolicy.
 18. A computer-program product comprising a non-transitorycomputer-usable medium having computer-readable program code embodiedtherein, the computer-readable program code adapted to be executed toimplement a method comprising: activating the cross-platform DLP policyfor enforcement against a plurality of users on each of a plurality ofheterogeneous communications platforms; wherein the activating comprisescreating the cross-platform DLP policy, the creating comprising:defining one or more designated users for a reporting workflow; andestablishing one or more enforcement actions that can be taken by theone or more designated users; and defining how the cross-platform DLPpolicy can be quasi-violated; monitoring communications of the pluralityof users on each of the plurality of heterogeneous communicationsplatforms for violations of the cross-platform DLP policy; responsive toa detected violation of the cross-platform DLP policy by at least oneuser on at least one communications platform, dynamically acquiringcontext information for the detected violation using informationassociated with the detected violation; and publishing violationinformation to one or more designated users, the violation informationcomprising at least a portion of the information associated with thedetected violation and at least a portion of the context information.